Non-Scandinavian and Scandinavian women's expectations and experiences of acute pain
Received 19 August 2006; received in revised form 13 November 2006; accepted 20 November 2006.
Summary
Background
Cultural or ethnic background has been shown to be significant for how individuals experience pain. The aim of this study was to examine the expectation and experience of acute pain, the use of stress-coping styles, and the distribution of analgesics among non-Scandinavian and Scandinavian women in a dental treatment situation.
Methods
Instruments used were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Jalowiec Coping Scale (JCS).
Results
Non-Scandinavian women rated both expected and experienced pain significantly higher than Scandinavian women. No significant differences were found in stress-coping styles or in the distribution of analgesics between the two groups.
Conclusion
Nurses in acute pain situations must be aware of the need for appropriate assessment tools as well as the need to be sensitive to variations in both verbal and non-verbal communication styles across cultures.
ABSTRACT