Autonomy When Administering Pain Alleviation Techniques Increases as Age Increases Jaclyn D. Murphy 1, Ayala Y. Gorodzinsky 1, Amy L. Drendel 2 and W. Hobart Davies 1 University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee 1 and Medical College of Wisconsin 2 Introduction Children often experience pain on a daily basis (Craig, Lilley & Gilbert, 1996). There are two different approaches available to treat pain: pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Pharmacological treatment techniques refer to those that involve pharmaceutical medications (e.g. Advil, Tylenol, Asprin). Non-pharmacological pain treatment techniques do not involve either topical or ingested pharmaceutical medication (e.g. acupuncture, chiropractics, aromatherapy). It has been noted that as children progress into adolescence they have an increased desire to have autonomy over health decisions and decisions about their bodies (Fuligni & Eccles, 1993; Pinzon, Jacobson & Reiss, 2004). Currently, there is limited information available on when children start managing their own pain alleviation techniques at home. This study will focus on the influence of children’s age on their individual and parental administration of pharmacological and non-pharmacological to alleviate their pain at home. Methods A community-based sample of parents were asked questions, via an online survey, regarding their use and opinions of pharmacological and non- pharmacological pain alleviating techniques for their children’s pain. Survey questions included questions regarding the frequency and location of their children’s pain, use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological techniques and effectiveness of these pain alleviating techniques. Also within this survey, parents were asked if their child could administer pain alleviation techniques with or without their parents’ permission and knowledge at time of administration. Results Results show that most parents (80.2%) felt comfortable with their children taking pharmacological pain medication. Within the category of pharmacological techniques, parents reported most often providing acetaminophen (67%), followed closely by ibuprofen (64.7%). Parents’ report on children’s self-administration of medications significantly increased with children’s age (X 2 (22, N = 488) = , p = 0.000). Within the category of non-pharmacological techniques, parents reported most often providing opportunities for the child to sleep (22%), providing comfort to the child (19.6%), and giving the child ice (15.5%). As with the use of pharmacological techniques, parents’ report on children’s self-administration of non- pharmacological techniques also significantly increased with children’s age (X 2 (22, N = 471) = 64.03, p = 0.000). Discussion As hypothesized, as children get older they are more likely to self-administer both pharmacological and non- pharmacological techniques on their own. Future research could assess if parents have discussions regarding pain alleviation techniques with their children prior to the children’s self-administration of techniques. Parents in this sample indicated high levels of comfort providing pharmacological techniques to their children. Future research should assess if there are differences in children’s self-administration of pharmacological techniques based on parents’ comfort with these techniques. Child’s pain frequency and location Every day1% Several times a week6% Weekly13.1% Monthly20.4% Less than once a month47% Never12.5% Corresponding author: Jaclyn D. Murphy, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of Psychology, Participants A total of 569 parents, who had children between the ages of 6 and 17 years old, were surveyed. The participants were mostly women (65.2%), married (69.2%), self-identified as Caucasian (77.9%), and were highly educated with the majority having at least an associate’s or bachelor degree (69.7%). The mean age of the children was (SD= 3.5) and the sample was almost evenly divided on gender (45.5% male). Parents reported that most their children experienced pain in various locations with the most common including bones/joints (11.8%), back/shoulders (9.5%) and elbows/knees (7.9%). Percentage of children allowed to self—administer pain alleviation techniques based on available parental responses AgePain Alleviation Technique PharmacologicalNon-Pharmacological to