A NEW study from the University of South Australia highlights the importance of how children's pain is treated, suggesting it can influence how they manage pain in adulthood.
Researchers urge parents and doctors to validate children's pain, ensuring their emotions and experiences are acknowledged.
This approach builds trust, strengthens relationships, and helps children develop healthy emotional regulation skills.
Dr Sarah Wallwork, a UniSA researcher, explained that when doctors or parents show attentiveness to a child's pain, it reinforces positive pain management behaviours.
On the other hand, dismissing or questioning a child's pain can have long-term negative effects, including damaging trust in healthcare providers and hindering future care.
The study shows the need for better pain management, particularly as one in four children experience chronic pain, contributing to a $139 billion economic burden from reduced quality of life and productivity.
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