Psychosocial Adjustment and Multi-dimensional Coping in Working Individuals with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study

Chronic nonspecific musculoskeletal pain (CNMP) is a global health condition that affects psychological well-being, social functioning, and work performance of the working individuals. Despite the quantitative evidences on psychosocial correlates, a little qualitative research explored that how working individuals cope with CNMP within South Asian sociocultural contexts. The aim of the study was to explore the lived experiences of working individuals with CNMP about coping mechanisms focusing on psychosocial and emotional reactions associated with chronic pain. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect information about the coping strategies used to deal with CNMP and associated psychosocial reactions through semi-structured interviews from 14 working individuals (7 men, 7 women) with CNMP aged 29–45 years. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze transcripts and reflexivity, triangulation, member checking, and an audit trial were used to ensure rigor of the study. Coping had emerged as a dynamic biopsychosocial–spiritual process involving behavioral, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual strategies. Participants relied on emotion regulation, family support, and faith to sustain functioning and cultural values of endurance also contributed to emotional suppression and limited help-seeking. Coping with CNMP extended beyond the management of symptom and included psychological, relational, and spiritual adaptation for improving adjustment and well-being among working individuals with CNMP. A holistic and culturally responsive intervention integrating psychological care, workplace support, family involvement, and spirituality is essential.