Couples' Experiences of Emotional Disclosure Associated with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Phenomenological Study

Pain related emotional disclosure can have positive effects on the physical and psychological health of patients with chronic pain, although little is known about the experience and perception of patients and their spouses of emotional disclosure. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the couplechr('39')s experience of emotional disclosure related to chronic low back pain.

The method of the present study is interpretative phenomenological analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. 11 patients with chronic low back pain along with their spouses were purposefully selected from Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed with an interpretative phenomenological approach.

Main themes are: 1- positive beliefs about emotional disclosure and 2- negative beliefs about emotional disclosure. Although participants believe that emotional release, increased intimacy, and mutual problem-solving are important aspects of the emotional disclosure process, couples refrain from expressing their emotions in order to protect themselves and the other from the negative consequences.

emotional disclosure is a complex process, and coupleschr('39') beliefs about pain-related emotional disclosure are one of the internal factors that influence the decision to express emotion. It is suggested that in order to increase the effectiveness of such interventions, peoplechr('39')s beliefs about emotional disclosure should be considered as an effective component in the process of assessment and treatment.