Skip to main content
Intended for healthcare professionals
Restricted access
Research article
First published online October 1, 2008

Learned Resourcefulness and the Long-Term Benefits of a Chronic Pain Management Program

Deborah J. Kennett, Fergal T. O'Hagan, and Diego CezerView all authors and affiliations
Volume 2, Issue 4
https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689808319732

Abstract

A concurrent mixed methods approach was used to understand how learned resourcefulness empowers individuals. After completing Rosenbaum's Self-Control Schedule (SCS) measuring resourcefulness, 16 past clients of a multimodal pain clinic were interviewed about the kinds of pain-coping strategies they were practicing from the program. Constant comparative analysis of the text-based data revealed striking differences in the type of pain management strategies used by high- and low-resourceful participants. A substantive theory is advanced, whereby introspection and emotion allow for acceptance, which in turn permits the constructive use of social supports and enactment of active, and sometimes creative, pain-coping strategies to engage in meaningful activities.

Get full access to this article

View all access and purchase options for this article.

Get Access

References

Akgun, S., & Ciarrochi, J. (2003). Learned resourcefulness moderates the relationship between academic stress and academic performance. Educational Psychology, 23, 287-294.
Google Scholar
Birkimer, J.C., Johnston, P.L., & Berry, M.M. (1993). Guilt and help from friends: Variables related to healthy behaviour. The Journal of Social Psychology, 133, 683-692.
Google Scholar
Bryman, A. (2007). Barriers to integrating quantitative and qualitative research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1, 8-22.
Google Scholar
Cano, A. (2004). Pain catastrophizing and social support in married individuals with chronic pain: The moderating role of pain duration. Pain, 110, 656-664.
Google Scholar
Collier, A. (1994). Critical realism: An introduction to Roy Bhaskar's philosophy. London and New York : Verso.
Google Scholar
Combden, D. (2004). Health benefits of self-control strategies and emotional expression of stressful events: Qualitative vs. quantitative analyses . Unpublished dissertation, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Google Scholar
Creswell, J.W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Google Scholar
Danermark, B. (2002). Explaining society: Critical realism in the social sciences. London, New York: Routledge.
Google Scholar
Dehghani, M., Sharpe, L., & Nicholas, M.K. (2004). Modification of attentional biases in chronic pain patients: A preliminary study. European Journal of Pain, 8, 585-594.
Google Scholar
Derry, P.A., Chovaz, C.J., McLachlan, R.S., & Cummings, A. (1993). Learned resourcefulness and psychosocial adjustment following temporal lobectomy in epilepsy. Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, 12, 454-470.
Google Scholar
Dey, I. (2004). Grounded theory. In C. Seale, G. Gobo, G. Gubrum, & D. Silverman (Eds.), Qualitative research practice (pp. 80-93). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Google Scholar
Edwards, R.R., Doleys, D.M., Lowery, D., & Fillingim, R.B. (2003). Pain tolerance as a predictor of outcome following multidisciplinary treatment for chronic pain: Differential effects as a function of sex. Pain, 106, 419-426.
Google Scholar
Finlay, L. (2002). Outing the researcher: The provenance, process, and practice of reflexivity. Qualitative Health Research, 12, 531-545.
Google Scholar
Green, C.R., Baker, T.A., Sato, Y., Washington, T.L., & Smith, E.M. (2003). Race and chronic pain: A comparative study of young black and white Americans presenting for management. The Journal of Pain, 4, 176-183.
Google Scholar
Haugli, L., Steen, E., Laerum, E., Nygard, R., & Finset, A. (2001). Learning to have less pain-is it possible? A one-year follow-up study of the effects of a personal construct group learning program on patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Patient Education and Counseling, 45, 111-118.
Google Scholar
Haythornthwaite, J.A., Menefee, L.A., Heinberg, L.J., & Clark, M.R. (1998). Pain coping strategies predict perceived control over pain. International Association for the Study of Pain, 77, 33-39.
Google Scholar
Jensen, M.P., Nielson, W.R., Turner, J.A., Romano, J.M., & Hill, M.L. (2003). Readiness to self-manage pain is associated with coping and with psychological and physical functioning among patients with chronic pain. International Association for the Study of Pain, 104, 529-537.
Google Scholar
Jensen, M.P., Turner, J.A., & Romano, J.M. (2001). Changes in beliefs, catastrophizing, and coping are associated with improvement in multidisciplinary pain treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69, 655-662.
Google Scholar
Johnson, R.B., Onwuegbuzie, A.J., & Turner, L.A. (2007). Toward a definition of mixed methods research . Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1, 112-133.
Google Scholar
Kennett, D.J. (1994). Academic self-management counseling: Preliminary evidence for the importance of learned resourcefulness on program success . Studies in Higher Education, 19, 295-307.
Google Scholar
Kennett, D.J., & Ackerman, M. (1995). Importance of learned resourcefulness to weight loss and early success during maintenance: Preliminary evidence. Patient Education and Counseling, 25, 197-203.
Google Scholar
Kennett, D.J., Morris, E., & Bangs, A. (2006). Learned resourcefulness and smoking cessation revisited. Patient Education and Counseling, 60, 206-211.
Google Scholar
Kennett, D.J., & Nisbet, C. (1998). The influence of body mass index and learned resourcefulness skills on body image and lifestyle practices. Patient Education and Counseling, 33, 1-12.
Google Scholar
Kennett, D.J., & Pettis, A. (2001). The impact of learned resourcefulness on university adjustment and student drinking behaviours. In D. J. Kennett & A. M. Young, (Eds.), STATISTICA versions 5 and 6 made easy (pp. 218-247). Peterborough, Ontario: Trent University Press.
Google Scholar
Kennett, D.J., Stedwill, A.T., Berrill, D., & Young, A.M. (1996). Co-operative learning in a university setting: Evidence for the importance of learned resourcefulness. Studies in Higher Education, 21, 177-187.
Google Scholar
Kennett, D.J., & van Gulick, C. (2001). Dealing with academic success and failure: The association between learned resourcefulness, explanatory style, reported grades and sharing experiences with academic self-control . In D. J. Kennett & A. M. Young (Eds.), Notes on Applied Statistical Methods in Psychology Integrating STATISTICA Software (pp. 325-354). Peterborough, Ontario: Trent University Press.
Google Scholar
Keogh, E., McCracken, L.M., & Eccleston, C. (2005). Do men and women differ in their response to interdisciplinary chronic management? Pain, 114, 37-46.
Google Scholar
Kuzel, A. (1999). Sampling in qualitative inquiry. In B. Crabtree & W. Miller (Eds.). Doing qualitative research (2nd ed., pp. 33-45). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Google Scholar
Levesque, L., Gauvin, L., & Desharnais, R. (2003). Maintaining exercise involvement: The role of learned resourcefulness in process of change use. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 4, 237-253.
Google Scholar
Liamputtong, P., & Ezzy, D. (2005). In depth interviews. In P. Liamputtong & Ezzy (Eds.), Qualitative research methods (2nd ed., pp. 54-73). Victoria, Australia: Oxford.
Google Scholar
McCracken, L.M., & Eccleston, C. (2003). Coping or acceptance: What to do about chronic pain? Pain, 105, 197-204.
Google Scholar
Morgan, D.L. (2007). Paradigms lost and pragmatism regained: Methodological implications of combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1, 48-76.
Google Scholar
Morrow, S.L. (2005). Quality and trustworthiness in qualitative research in counseling psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 250-260.
Google Scholar
Pawson, R., & Tilley, N. (1997). Realistic evaluation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Google Scholar
Ponterotto, J.G. (2005). Qualitative research in counseling psychology: A primer on research paradigms and philosophy of science. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 126-136.
Google Scholar
Rosenbaum, M. (1980a). A Schedule for assessing self-control behavior: Preliminary findings. Behavior Therapy, 11, 109-121.
Google Scholar
Rosenbaum, M. (1980b). Individual differences in self-control behaviors and tolerance of painful stimulation. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 89, 581-590.
Google Scholar
Rosenbaum, M. (1990). The role of learned resourcefulness in the self-control of health behavior. In M. Rosenbaum (Ed.), Learned Resourcefulness: On coping skills, self-control and adaptive behavior (pp. 4-25). New York: Springer
Google Scholar
Rosenbaum, M. (2000). The self-regulation of experience: Openness and construction. In P. Dewe, A. M. Leiter, & T. Cox (Eds.), Coping, health and organizations (pp. 51-67). London : Taylor & Francis.
Google Scholar
Rosenbaum, M., & Cohen, E. (1999). Equalitarian marriages, spousal support, resourcefulness, and psychological distress among Israeli working women. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 54, 102-113.
Google Scholar
Rosenbaum, M., & Palmon, N. (1984). Helplessness and resourcefulness in coping with epilepsy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 244-253.
Google Scholar
Sayer, R.A. (2000). Realism and social science. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Google Scholar
Seale, C. (1999). The quality of quantitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Google Scholar
StatsCan. (1998). National population health survey. Retrieved November 11, 2005, from http://www.statcan.ca/english/concepts/nphs/
Google Scholar
Sullivan, M.J., Ward, L.C., Tripp, D., French, D.J., Adams, H., & Stanish, W.D. (2005). Secondary prevention of work disability: Community-based psychosocial intervention for musculoskeletal disorders. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 15, 377-392.
Google Scholar
Ward, S. (2002) Learned resourcefulness and self-control: Successful management of chronic pain. Unpublished dissertation, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Google Scholar
White, R., Tata, P., & Burns, T. (1996). Mood, learned resourcefulness and perceptions of control in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 40, 205-212.
Google Scholar
Williams, S.J. (1999). Is anybody there? Critical realism, chronic illness and the disability debate. Sociology of Health and Illness, 21, 797-819.
Google Scholar
Zauszniewski, J.A., & Chung, C.W. (2001). Resourcefulness and health practices of diabetic women. Research in Nursing & Health, 21, 113-121.
Google Scholar
Zauszniewski, J.A., Chung, C.W., Chang, H.J., & Krafcik, K. (2002). Predictors of resourcefulness in school-aged children . Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 23, 385-401.
Google Scholar

Cite article

Cite article

Cite article

OR

Download to reference manager

If you have citation software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice

Share options

Share

Share this article

Share with email
EMAIL ARTICLE LINK
Share on social media

Share access to this article

Sharing links are not relevant where the article is open access and not available if you do not have a subscription.

For more information view the Sage Journals article sharing page.

Information, rights and permissions

Information

Published In

Volume 2, Issue 4
Pages: 317 - 339
Article first published online: October 1, 2008
Issue published: October 2008

Keywords

  1. learned resourcefulness
  2. coping strategies
  3. pain intervention programs

Rights and permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Deborah J. Kennett
Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, [email protected]
View all articles by this author
Fergal T. O'Hagan
University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
View all articles by this author
Diego Cezer
Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
View all articles by this author

Metrics and citations

Metrics

Journals metrics

This article was published in Journal of Mixed Methods Research.

VIEW ALL JOURNAL METRICS

Article usage*

Total views and downloads: 553

*Article usage tracking started in December 2016

Articles citing this one

Receive email alerts when this article is cited

Web of Science: 19 view articles Opens in new tab

Crossref: 0

  1. DNVF-Memorandum Versorgungsforschung im letzten Le...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  2. Reported Methodological Challenges in Empirical Mixed Methods Articles...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  3. Culturo-Behavior Science: Now is the Time to Focus on U.S. Immigration...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  4. Older adults with chronic illness – Caregiver burden in the Asian cont...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  5. The indirect effects of academic stress on student outcomes through re...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  6. Examining the importance of academic-specific self-compassion in the a...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  7. Conceptual models to guide integration during analysis in convergent m...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  8. Investigator Triangulation...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  9. Managing Menstruation...
    Go to citation Crossref Google ScholarPub Med
  10. Caregiver Burden, Health Status, and Learned Resourcefulness of Older ...
    Go to citation Crossref Google ScholarPub Med
  11. Development and practical implications of the Exercise Resourcefulness...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  12. The Relationship Between Learned Resourcefulness and Cancer-Related Fa...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  13. A Reappraisal of the Nobody’s Perfect Program
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  14. Sexual resourcefulness and the impact of family, sex education, media ...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  15. Rural Workers’ Experience of Low Back Pain: Exploring Why They Continu...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  16. The contributions of Rosenbaum's model of self-control and the transth...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
  17. “I Can't Be What I Want to Be”: Children's Narratives of Chronic Pain ...
    Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar

Figures and tables

Figures & Media

Tables

View Options

Get access

Access options

If you have access to journal content via a personal subscription, university, library, employer or society, select from the options below:

AES and MMIRA members can access this journal content using society membership credentials.

AES MEMBERSHIP LOGIN

MMIRA MEMBERSHIP LOGIN

AES and MMIRA members can access this journal content using society membership credentials.

AES MEMBERSHIP LOGIN

MMIRA MEMBERSHIP LOGIN

Alternatively, view purchase options below:

Purchase 24 hour online access to view and download content.

Subscribe to this journal

Access journal content via a DeepDyve subscription or find out more about this option.

Start 2 week free trial
Need help?

View options

PDF/ePub

View PDF/ePub
Download PDF

Also from Sage