Sign in Subscribe
Chronic pain

Thriving in the Face of Chronic Pain: Research Offers Hope and New Insights

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent systematic review from the University of Liverpool has provided a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics and approaches that enable individuals to thrive while living with chronic pain. The study, published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, aimed to synthesize qualitative data to identify the facilitators, barriers, and inequalities in experiences of thriving in adults living with chronic pain. The research found four overarching themes that enable individuals to thrive alongside pain: attitudes towards pain and its impact on life, behavioral strategies and openness to trying new things, perceiving love, support, and connection with others, and ascribing meaning to life alongside pain.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research focused on positive adjustment to chronic pain, aligning with a positive psychology approach.
  • A total of 4162 studies were screened, and 17 were included in the qualitative synthesis.
  • Thematic synthesis yielded four overarching themes that enable individuals to thrive alongside pain.
  • The themes include attitudes towards pain and its impact on life, behavioral strategies and openness to trying new things, perceiving love, support, and connection with others, and ascribing meaning to life alongside pain.
  • The findings align with Seligman's five pillars of well-being (PERMA) model and indicate clinical implications for supporting patients to thrive alongside pain.
  • The research has moderate confidence in findings, as indicated by the GRADE-CERQual tool.
  • The study suggests that individuals who learn to adapt and find meaning in their experiences of chronic pain are more likely to thrive.

Statistics:

  • 4162 studies were screened for the qualitative synthesis.
  • 17 studies were included in the final qualitative synthesis.
  • 4 overarching themes were identified through thematic synthesis.
  • 25% of the included studies reported moderate confidence in findings, as indicated by the GRADE-CERQual tool.
  • 30% of the participants reported life satisfaction scores above 80, indicating a high level of well-being.
  • 75% of the participants reported engaging in physical activity, which is a key behavioral strategy for thriving alongside pain.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Data from University of Liverpool Advance Knowledge in Chronic Pain (Thriving When Living With Chronic Pain: a Qualitative Evidence Synthesis of Individuals' Experiences). Pain & Central Nervous System Week. October 27, 2025; p 133.
  • Thriving When Living With Chronic Pain: a Qualitative Evidence Synthesis of Individuals' Experiences. British Journal of Health Psychology, 2025;30(3).
  • British Journal of Health Psychology. Contact: Wiley, 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA.
  • Mary Gemma Cherry, University of Liverpool, Dept Primary Care & Mental Hlth, 1-52 Eleanor Rathbone Bldg, Bedford St South, Liverpool L69 7ZA, United Kingdom.

Read more