The family impact of pain scale: Preliminary validation

A new questionnaire, the Family Impact of Pain Scale (FIPS), was designed in order to assess the effects of chronic pain on the significant other and family of the chronic pain patient. The FIPS is a 10-item self-report questionnaire examining the effect of pain on domestic duties, social functioning and communication within the family. It was administered to 177 chronic pain patients in two different samples to investigate its psychometric properties. Internal reliability (alpha = .94) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.79) were high. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a two-factor solution, relating to physical limitations and difficulties with communication. Construct validity was confirmed by significant Pearson correlations with pain intensity, pain distress, mood and the use of pain coping skills (r = -0.22-0.74, all at p < .05). Outcome data also showed that the measure is sensitive to the effects of a cognitive behavioural pain management intervention.