Biopsychosocial Factors Predicting Pain Among Individuals Experiencing the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

BACKGROUND: Pain is one of the most common symptoms of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Being both a physical and a psychological experience, pain is affected by many factors, including biological, psychological, and social rather than a single variable. AIMS: To determine the effects of biological, psychological, and social factors on pain level among participants experiencing with the COVID-19. DESIGN: A web-based, retrospective, and descriptive study SETTING: Social media sources such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and E-mail PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty-nine participants were included. METHODS: Data were collected based on the biopsychosocial model. Pain level was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS). The data were analyzed using descriptive, correlational statistics, and structural equation modeling. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 32.87 (SD = 11.32) years. The VAS scores were associated with gender (Z = -2.103, p = .035), and chronic disease status (Z = 3.001, p = .003), and the Chalder Fatigue Scale total score (β = 0.718, p < .001) associated with biological factors. The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale scores among psychological factors showed a direct impact on the VAS scores (β = 0.583, p < .001). The Patterns of Activity Measure-Pain total score examined within social factors directly affected the VAS score. The VAS score did not correlate with age, smoking status, hospitalization status, respiratory support, marital status, education level, employment, and income status. CONCLUSIONS: The pain level in COVID-19 participants was determined by biological, psychological, and social factors. Females and participants with chronic illness, anxiety, fatigue, and low physical activity were found to experience high levels of pain. Education and counseling programs for pain management should be comprehensively structured and include anxiety reduction programs, and fatigue management.