Adulthood healthcare use for co-occurring pain and mental distress – the roles of early life adversity and buffers (PAINMENT)

The project investigates how adverse childhood experiences, resilience, and social capital influence the development and co-occurrence of healthcare use for musculoskeletal pain and mental distress from adolescence to adulthood.

Using a unique linkage between self-reported data from the Young-HUNT cohort and national health registries with annual data over twelve years, the project applies group-based trajectory modelling to identify patterns in healthcare use and their determinants.

The study provides new insights into the interconnections between pain and mental health and aims to inform the development of targeted preventive strategies for youth and young adults.

The PhD project is part of the project Co-occurrent pain and psychological distress: From adolescence to adulthood.