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Cited by 186Cultural Competency in Health CareRacial and Ethnic Identity ResearchMusculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation

Racial/ethnic disparities in the assessment and treatment of pain: Psychosocial perspectives.

Tait, Raymond C., Chibnall, John T.·2014·American Psychologist
DOI 10.1037/a0035204
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Abstract

Racial/ethnic disparities not only are prevalent throughout the U.S. health care system but also have proved refractory to change. Such disparities are evident and similarly persistent in the treatment of patients with chronic pain conditions, exacting high personal and societal costs. While psychosocial factors contribute significantly to this intractable problem, an integrated examination of the literature is lacking. This article provides an overview of psychosocial factors that contribute to disparities in the treatment of chronic pain patients and in their adjustment to pain. It focuses initially on aspects of pain assessment that can occasion disparate care. Because pain is a subjective phenomenon that often defies objective medical assessment, it is particularly susceptible to social psychological influences, such as stereotypes. We pay particular attention to negative racial/ethnic stereotypes as well as to the circumstances that are likely to trigger stereotype-driven judgments. Subsequent sections review psychosocial factors that can influence a patient's experience of pain, those that can influence the patient-provider interaction, and those that operate in the public health environment. After each section, we suggest actions that could address identified issues related to clinical care, research, and policy. Policy recommendations generally are linked to provisions of the Affordable Care Act. We conclude with a discussion of the role that psychology should play in future efforts to address the persistent problem of racial/ethnic disparities in pain care.

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Crossref · 10.1037/a0035204

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  • A primarily biomedical approach does not address the wholeness of the person experiencing chronic pain or their layered challenges, including socioeconomic and structural inequities and inadvertent consequences of opioid analgesics.

    “A primarily biomedical approach does not address the wholeness of the person experiencing chronic pain, nor their layered challenges including socioeconomic and structural inequities and inadvertent consequences of opioid analgesics which may have been prescribed for lack of better options.12-16”

    From Remotely Delivered Psychologically Informed Mindful Movement Physical Therapy for Pain Care: A Framework for Operationalization (2023) · cites this paper as [12]

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Authors
Tait, R. C., & Chibnall, J. T.
Affiliations
Saint Louis University (US)
ORCID
Venue
American Psychologist
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2014-02
Volume
69
Issue
2
Pages
131-141
ISSN
  • 0003-066X (ISSN-L)
  • 1935-990X
DOI
10.1037/a0035204
OpenAlex
W2331860118
Cited by
186
References
83
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 2
FWCI
36.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Psychologist (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Cultural Competency in Health Care
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
Keywords
racial and ethnic disparities, chronic pain, pain assessment, pain management, psychosocial factors, racial stereotypes, patient-provider interaction, health care disparities, Affordable Care Act, health policy
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Black or African American, Empathy, Ethnicity, Hispanic or Latino, Humans, Pain Measurement, Physician-Patient Relations, Socioeconomic Factors, Stereotyping, Trust, White People, Healthcare Disparities, Drug-Seeking Behavior, Chronic Pain, Racism

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