Social support as a key factor in chronic pain management programs: a scoping review

Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that profoundly and persistently affects individuals’ lives. Managing chronic pain presents complex challenges, and a growing body of literature underscores the pivotal role of social support in its management and its implications for treatment and rehabilitation. Gaining an understanding of the multifaceted aspects of social support in chronic pain management can contribute to the development of more effective interventions and strategies to enhance the lives of those impacted by chronic pain. However, at present, systematic reviews that investigate the correlation between social support and chronic pain are lacking. This paper presents a scoping review of 56 relevant literature sources, with the aim of improving our comprehension of the relationship between chronic pain and social support. The review comprehensively examines common types of evidence, particularly on inconsistencies in research tools within this field of study and divergent concepts of social support related to chronic pain. The paper delves into the correlation model between social support and chronic pain, explores relevant mechanisms, and emphasizes the differences found among relevant studies. By synthesizing these findings, the review emphasizes potential areas for further research and exploration, facilitating future studies and the development of new approaches in this field.