The Development of a Model Considering Hope, Uncertainty Emotion Regulation in People with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Worked Example of a Social Constructivist Meta-Ethnography Study

Objective: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a significant global concern. Its prevalence is increasing, and current management strategies demonstrate at best, moderate effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to explore the concepts of hope, uncertainty and how they both influence emotion regulation because these concepts are extremely prevalent for patients and clinicians during CLBP consultations. Methods: A soccial constructivist meta-ethnographic is a highly interpretative type of qualitative review that generates new theory, enabling a valuable insight to this unique area. A framework was followed; its iterative analytical process involves multiple search strategies, exploring how studies relate, generating ideas and developing a substantive theory. Results: This review represents the first worked example of a theory generating review process. One model was created (see figure 5) that focuses on how the individual with CLBP regulate their emotions and considers factors that feed into the process and result from the process. The outcome of the model produced either adaptative or maladaptive emotional regulation strategies (ERS). Conclusions: Hope and uncertainty are key concepts that are interlinked and play a vital role on health outcomes of people with CLBP. Research is required to explore how the model can be operationalised in clinical practice.