The relationship between nursing students' pain beliefs and fear of pain: A descriptive and correlational study


KÖSE TOSUNÖZ İ., Deniz Doğan S.

Teaching and Learning in Nursing, vol.19, no.2, 2024 (ESCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 19 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.teln.2024.01.002
  • Journal Name: Teaching and Learning in Nursing
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, ASSIA, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source
  • Keywords: Belief, Fear, Nursing, Pain, Student
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: Future nurses' beliefs and attitudes regarding pain can affect their approach to patients with pain and pain management. Aim: This study aimed to determine the relationship between nursing students’ pain beliefs and their fear of pain. Methods: A descriptive and correlational study included 312 nursing students. The “Student Information Form,” “Pain Beliefs Scale,” and “Fear of Pain Scale-III” were used to collect data. Results: The students’ mean scores of the Fear of Pain Scale-III, Organic Beliefs, and Psychologic Beliefs sub-categories were 92.21 ± 17.73, 3.47 ± 0.67, and 2.67 ± 1.03, respectively. There was a positive relationship between the Fear of Pain Scale-III and psychological and organic beliefs mean scores (p < 0.05). A one-unit increase in the organic beliefs variable increases the probability of fear of pain by 0.36 times. Conclusions: The nursing students' organic beliefs and fear of pain were moderate and their psychological beliefs were low. Nurse educators can integrate different teaching strategies to overcome students' misconceptions about pain and fears of pain into their curriculum.