Psychosocial Factors of Post-operative Pain Intensity in Women Undergoing Cesarean Section

Background: Little evidence has noted that psychological factors are risk factors of post-operative pain intensity in women undergoing cesarean section. Objectives: The aim of study was to determine predictive psychosocial factors for post-cesarean pain intensity using assessment of depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, and quality of relationship. Methods: This prospective descriptive-analytic study was carried out on 150 healthy women scheduled for cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. The day before the surgery, the patients completed three questionnaires including Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and General Self-efficacy. Also, 24 hours after the surgery, the intensity of pain in the patients was assessed with filling McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). Linear regression was used to predict the factors of pain intensity. Results: The anxiety was a positive predictor of pain intensity of women after C-section (β = 0. 0.22, P = 0.014). However, depression score, and self-efficacy were not predicting factors of pain intensity of women after C-section. Conclusions: Preoperative anxiety increases post-operative pain intensity in women undergoing cesarean section.