The Predictors of Postoperative Pain Among Children Based on the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms: A Descriptive-Correlational Study

Purpose Postoperative pain (POP) is a common outcome of surgical interventions among children. Identifying POP contributing factors can help identify children who are at risk for POP and facilitate POP management. The aim of the study was to determine the predictors of POP based on the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms. Design and methods This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 2018–2019 on 153 children purposively recruited. Data were collected using a personal characteristics questionnaire, the Coping Strategies Questionnaire, the Child Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale, and a Visual Analogue Scale for Pain. The SPSS software (v. 21.0) was used for data analysis. Results Twelve participants were excluded and final data analysis was done on the data obtained from 141 participants. Most of participants were male (65.2%), underwent abdominal surgery (53.2%), and experienced POP (86.5%). Their age mean was 8.58±2.23. Linear regression analysis revealed that the physiological factors of heart rate, preoperative pain, and surgery duration as well as the psychological factors of anxiety and coping strategies were significant predictors of POP among children. All these factors collectively explained 34% of the total variance of POP. Situational factors (such as age, gender, and ethnicity) had no significant effects on POP. Conclusions Heart rate, preoperative pain, surgery duration, anxiety and coping as predictive factors of POP can be considered when designing effective POP management strategies. Practice implications The findings provide a better understanding about the predictors of POP and can be used to develop pain management among children.