Is transition-to-adulthood ableist? Questioning temporal norms in the experience of becoming an adult while living with chronic pain

Introduction

Chronic pain is a major public health issue, generating significant costs worldwide and affecting all aspects of a person’s life. While chronic pain is more prevalent among older adults, it affects one in nine young adults (YAs). YAs are experiencing a significant life transition: the transition to adulthood, during which they are expected to become fully independent. But what happens to them if they cannot reach these expectations of autonomy because of chronic pain?

Goals and Methods

This research aims to explore temporal norms during the transition to adulthood of YAs living with chronic pain, with the goal of developing alternative, more inclusive ways of defining this life stage. To achieve this, the study employs a qualitative, exploratory, and narrative design based on a crip theory framework. Through in-depth life story interviews with YAs (n = 8) aged 25–35 living with diagnosed chronic pain (either primary or secondary), the study explores their chronic pain history, transition-to-adulthood experience and vision for the future, in order to better understand how they become fully adult outside of ableist norms. Each interview is transcribed verbatim and analysed using narrative thematic analysis. 

Results

We expect to observe discrepancies between participants' experiences during their transition to adulthood and expected developmental milestones. Additionally, we expect a curative vision to deeply influence participants' visions of their future. However, we also expect them to be able to formulate a vision of what their future can be, even if pain persists.

Conclusions

By studying how the lives of YAs living with chronic pain differ from the temporal and cultural norms surrounding the transition to adulthood in Western societies, we hope to develop alternative timelines that unlock new futures for them.