Chronic pain is a subjective, complex phenomenon of inseparable physical, mental, spiritual, and social processes. However, a gender-sensitive theory based on the understanding of the relationships among these processes has not been formulated. The sample for this study included 19 women, aged 21-76 years, living with a variety of chronic nonmalignant pain syndromes of 1-27 years duration. Data were generated from in-depth interviews, critical incident health diaries, and participant observation at support group meetings. The grounded theory method of constant comparative analysis resulted in the identification of women's healthy progression through their experiences of living with chronic pain as occurring in three phases. However, some women did not progress through these healthy phases and instead progressed toward illness. A woman's progression was influenced by patterns of validating. Validating occurred when her experience of pain was viewed as originating from her body and not as psychological need, secondary gain, or sin.
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