"It's nice to know that you're not alone": Lessons from rural Midwest women veterans' experiences with a chronic pain management group.

Abstract

Rural women veterans with chronic pain face unique challenges accessing pain care. To optimize nonpharmacological care for this population, we piloted an 8-week behavioral group intervention. This study explores participants' experiences with the gender-specific virtual group. The program was piloted with six groups of 3-8 rural women veterans with chronic pain. After completing the intervention, participants were interviewed about their experiences. Two qualitative methodologists inductively analyzed interviews for emergent themes. Participants (N = 31) were between 34 and 80 years old and identified as White (n = 26), Native American (n = 1), more than one race (n = 2), and undisclosed race (n = 2). Nearly every participant endorsed the program as beneficial and feasible. The group format emerged as paramount because participants (a) were not alone in their experiences as a rural woman veteran with chronic pain, (b) celebrated the diversity of experiences and knowledge among group attendees, and (c) described a variety of aspects about group dynamics and facilitators' deftness in creating a positive environment. The intervention provided a sense of community and fostered peer learning among diverse perspectives for geographically dispersed rural women veterans with chronic pain. The common experience of women veterans defined by their gender and military connection cannot be overlooked as key components of this women-specific pilot program's success. Yet, findings may be applicable to other commonalities among women (e.g., sexual trauma and type of chronic pain). Future programs should include time for women to share their experiences with one another, and facilitators should use communication techniques to support open sharing among participants. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).