Emotional reaction to pain as predictor of depression among selected Nigerians living with sickle cell disease in Ile-Ife

This study examined the predictive role of emotional reaction to pain on depression and investigated if there are significant age differences in depression among people living with sickle cell disease. A cross-sectional design carried out at Obafemi Awolowo University Health Centre (OAUHC) in Osun State, Nigeria, was conveniently used to select 71 respondents (females = 70.4%), with a median age of 19 years (SD = 5.94). Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) were used to collect data from the respondents from 11 January to 15 February 2019. Simple linear regression analysis revealed that emotional reaction to pain significantly predicts depression among individuals living with sickle cell disease (R-2 = 0.16, F(1, 69) = 16.70, p < .05)). One-way ANOVA results also showed a significant influence of age on depression (F(2, 68) = 4.439; p <.05)). The study concluded that emotional reaction to pain and age play significant roles in depression among people living with sickle cell disease in the study setting.