Exploring the Role of Family Environment, Coping Strategies, and Personality Traits in Women with Low Back Pain

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent and disabling condition that significantly impairs quality of life, especially among women. Beyond being a physical ailment, LBP is increasingly recognized as a biopsychosocial issue, shaped by psychological, social, and environmental influences. While existing research has predominantly focused on physiological and mechanical causes, there is a growing emphasis on understanding the psychosocial dimensions contributing to its development, chronicity, and overall impact. Aim: The present study explores the role of family environment, coping strategies, and personality traits in women experiencing low back pain. Methods: The sample comprised 30 women diagnosed with low back pain and 30 women without any history of LBP (control group), aged between 25 and 55 years. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling from hospitals and clinics in Varanasi and Jaipur, ensuring a diverse demographic representation. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to enhance group homogeneity. The following standardized tools were used for assessment: Family Environment Scale (Rudolf H. Moos & Bernice S. Moos), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Short Form (EPQR-S), and the Coping Response Inventory – Adult Form (CRI-A, Rudolf H. Moos, 1988). Results &Conclusion: The study found significant differences between women with and without low back pain in terms of family environment, coping strategies, and personality traits. Women with LBP experienced less family support, used more maladaptive coping strategies, and showed higher neuroticism with lower extraversion and psychoticism. These findings highlight the crucial role of psychosocial factors in LBP and suggest that improving family dynamics, fostering adaptive coping, and addressing personality traits can enhance pain management. The study advocates for a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach in clinical care.