What is it about?
This review looks at how everyday life affects people living with long-term (chronic) pain. It brings together findings from 71 qualitative studies involving 1,291 adults living with chronic pain. It shows that pain is not just a medical issue but is shaped by people’s routines, relationships and work. The review explores how these social factors shape transitions into and out of pain and how they constantly change the experience of pain. By focusing on people’s experiences, this work highlights the importance of understanding pain in context, as something deeply connected to how people live, interact and work.
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Why is it important?
This research helps explain why people with similar pain conditions can have very different experiences of pain. It shows that support from others, workplace challenges and daily routines all play a role in shaping how pain is felt and managed. Chronic pain affects more than just physical health, it can also disrupt a person’s identity, relationships, and ability to participate in everyday life. By recognising these social influences, we can move towards a more holistic, person-centred care and improve how we study and support people living with chronic pain.
Perspectives
It’s been an absolute pleasure to work on this review alongside such a brilliant team of co-authors. I’ve learnt so much, not just about systematic reviews and chronic pain, but also about the value of collaborative research. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and believe this work makes a meaningful contribution to the field by offering a clear framework for exploring the social dimensions of chronic pain.
Samanatha Stone
University of Bristol
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Social influences in the experience of transition to or from long-term (chronic) pain: A systematic review of qualitative research studies, PLOS One, July 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327984.
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