Women's Ways of Coping With Chronic Widespread Pain-A Phenomenographic Study

Musculoskeletal Care. 2026 Dec;24(4):e70273. doi: 10.1002/msc.70273.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic widespread pain (CWP) affects around 10% of adults and is more prevalent in women. The impact of CWP on daily life varies, as do coping strategies.

OBJECTIVE: To describe women's different ways of coping with CWP.

METHODS: A descriptive, qualitative phenomenographic study. Semi-structured interviews were performed with 19 women (aged 45-67) from a population-based cohort who did not report CWP in 1995 but reported CWP at the 2016 follow-up assessment. Analysis followed phenomenographic procedures, deriving categories of description and an outcome space.

RESULTS: Four categories described different ways of coping: (i) Taking control by using self-initiated adjustments, listening to bodily signals, boundary-setting, and planned recovery; (ii) Continuing as usual by preserving routines and roles while accepting or downplaying pain; (iii) Relying on guidance by using professional advice, structured routines, and tailored programmes; and (iv) Resting by prioritising rest and reducing demands when pain and fatigue dominated. The outcome space showed that these categories were analytically distinct but not mutually exclusive, as women described different ways of coping in different situations depending on bodily signals, resources, and everyday demands.

CONCLUSIONS: Women described different ways of coping with CWP in relation to symptoms, everyday demands, and available resources. Recognising this variation may help healthcare professionals provide person-centred support tailored to current needs, resources, and everyday demands.

PMID:42864860 | DOI:10.1002/msc.70273