Rural Missourians’ perspectives on pain: “I like to be in control of my life”

Abstract

This study examined rural Missourians’ conceptualization of pain and their attitudes toward pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management strategies. The study sample consisted of twenty-five (N = 25) community-dwelling adults residing in rural Missouri counties. Researchers conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews and applied thematic analysis techniques to interpret the data. Results indicated that participants often viewed pain as a limitation and associated its experience and treatment with weakness. Their attitudes toward pharmacological pain management were influenced by a prevalent social stigma surrounding pain medications (particularly opioid analgesics), fear of losing control, and a general aversion to medications. In contrast, their attitudes toward non-pharmacological pain management were decidedly positive. Participants expressed a strong preference for natural interventions and emphasized preventive measures to manage pain. Study findings support previously published research suggesting that rural individuals may minimize medical interventions and prioritize self-sufficiency. To address these cultural norms effectively, a strong clinician-patient relationship and multimodal pain management approaches that incorporate non-opioid strategies are recommended.