The Effect of Neuropathic Pain on Psychological Well-Being of An Individual

Abstract

This comprehensive study delves into the intricate relationship between neuropathic pain and psychological well-being among individuals while exploring the multifaceted influences of pain severity, gender, socio-economic class, and potential gender-based disparities. Employing a cross-sectional design, data were meticulously gathered from a sample of 110 participants within a medical facility. To assess neuropathic pain and psychological well-being, the study thoughtfully employed self-report measures, notably the DN4 Questionnaire for pain assessment and the Satisfaction with Life Scale for evaluating psychological well-being. The findings of this study unveiled a robust and statistically significant negative correlation between neuropathic pain and psychological well-being (r = -0.87, p = 0.02). This compelling correlation indicates that as the severity of neuropathic pain escalates, psychological well-being tends to markedly diminish. This relationship was further corroborated through linear regression analysis, demonstrating that for each incremental unit increase in neuropathic pain, there is a corresponding decrease of 0.87 units in psychological well-being (p = 0.001). Furthermore, this study unearthed noteworthy negative correlations between neuropathic pain and distinct domains of life, encompassing general activity, mood, normal work, relationships, sleep and enjoyment in life. These correlations illuminate that as the severity of neuropathic pain intensifies, individuals encounter impediments in various facets of their lives, including their daily activities, emotional states, work performance, social interactions, sleep quality, and overall life satisfaction. Notably, the socio-economic class emerged as a salient factor influencing well-being, with individuals in the middle class exhibiting significantly higher well-being scores when compared to their counterparts in the lower socioeconomic class (F = 5.770, p = 0.004). Intriguingly, gender did not wield a substantial impact on either well-being or pain levels in this study's context. The profound implications of these findings underscore the imperative necessity for the development and implementation of comprehensive pain management strategies, as well as robust psychosocial support systems tailored to individuals grappling with neuropathic pain. Future avenues of research should consider adopting longitudinal study designs to gain insights into the evolution of these relationships over time and should also explore nuanced cultural and gender-related factors that might further elucidate the complex interplay between pain experiences and psychological well-being.