Article

Stressors in acute whiplash associated disorders (WAD), as reported on a
daily basis, have hitherto been neglected in research.
The primary aim of this
study was to describe the most stressful daily situation or event reported by
individuals with acute WAD within a month of a whiplash trauma. Another aim was
to describe the meaning and significance of these daily stressors, i.e. primary
appraisal. METHOD: A descriptive design with a content analysis approach was
used. 260 WAD-daily coping assessments (WAD-DCA) generated during 1 week by 51
participants with acute WAD were included in the study. Stressors were analysed
using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The reported stressors generated 13
categories covering a wide range of stressful situations in daily life related to
(i) work, (ii) physical symptoms, (iii) feelings and cognitions, (iv) family and
home responsibilities and (v) recreation. The majority of the stressors were
appraised as "expected" as well as "disabling". Most threatening stressors were
related to work, driving and feelings/cognitions. CONCLUSIONS: The wide variety
of stressors indicates that it is not only pain itself that influences daily life
in acute WAD. Early identification of individual and situation-specific stressors
gives new data regarding what bothers individuals suffering from WAD after a
collision and may be helpful in understanding the coping process in relation to
specific stressors and stressor appraisals.

Langue : ANGLAIS