• Geoff P Bostick, Cary A Brown, Linda J Carroll, and Douglas P Gross.
• Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. bostick@ualberta.ca
• Disabil Rehabil. 2012 Jan 1;34(19):1617-32.

PurposeTo use quantitative data characterizing whiplash-associated disorder (WAD)-related pain beliefs over time to develop qualitative analysis exploring experiences informing these beliefs.MethodA mixed-method design was used. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected concurrently at baseline and 3 and 6 months postmotor vehicle collision. WAD-related pain beliefs were quantitatively measured in a sample of adults with acute WAD. A subgroup of participants participated in an interview after each survey. Descriptive statistics quantitatively characterized beliefs at each measurement. High or low scores from survey beliefs subscales informed the semistructured interview. The qualitative component explored experiences informing endorsement of beliefs reported on the surveys using a meaning-focused approach.ResultsAdjunctive meaning informing endorsement of beliefs related to cure, control, emotions and mystery was achieved. Qualitative analysis revealed a meta-theme labeled restitution, representing a desire to be "fixed". Stigma also emerged as a potentially important contextual descriptor of WAD meaning.ConclusionsRestitution was the dominant underlying pattern of belief endorsement. While this may be adaptive early after WAD, it is problematic for meaning construction later on. Based on contemporary views on pain, identification of this narrative is important as it represents an incompatibility in the conceptualization of pain between patient and provider.

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