Research Article: Pain catastrophizing and its associated factors in parents of children after polydactyly or syndactyly surgery: a cross-sectional survey
Abstract:
Polydactyly and syndactyly are common congenital hand malformations in children, with surgical correction as the primary treatment. Postoperative pain in children can trigger pain catastrophizing in parents, which may impair family care quality and children's rehabilitation. This study aimed to evaluate the current status of pain catastrophizing and its associated factors in parents of children after polydactyly or syndactyly surgery.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February 2024 to October 2025, enrolling parents of children who underwent polydactyly or syndactyly correction surgery. Data were collected using the Chinese version of Parental Pain Catastrophizing Scale
A total of 206 parents were included. The total score of parental pain catastrophizing was 41.86?±?5.19 points. The helplessness subscale score (range 0–24) was 18.74?±?2.83, the rumination subscale score (range 0–16) was 13.25?±?2.18, and the magnification subscale score (range 0–12) was 9.87?±?1.65. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that child's age ( ? =?–0.953), number of corrective surgeries ( ? =?2.517), parental gender ( ? =?3.342), place of residence ( ? =?2.965), marital status ( ? =?3.896), and pain knowledge training ( ? =?2.753) were independently associated factors (all P <?0.001), collectively explaining 42.3% of the variance (adjusted R ²?=?0.423, F =?22.157, P <?0.001).
Parents of children after polydactyly or syndactyly correction surgery showed a relatively high level of pain catastrophizing. Child's age (negatively associated), number of surgeries, parental gender, residence, marital status, and pain knowledge training were identified as associated factors, with marital status showing the strongest association. Cross-dimensional comparisons of subscale scores are not interpretable due to different numbers of items. These findings identify key factors associated with parental pain catastrophizing, which may inform the development of multidimensional and individualized support strategies. Further longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality and explore the association of additional clinical variables.
Introduction:
Polydactyly and syndactyly are common congenital hand malformations in children, with surgical correction as the primary treatment. Postoperative pain in children can trigger pain catastrophizing in parents, which may impair family care quality and children's rehabilitation. This study aimed to evaluate the current status of pain catastrophizing and its associated factors in parents of children after polydactyly or syndactyly surgery.
Read more