The Risk Factors of Chronic Pain Checklist (RFCP-CK): A New Screening and Assessment Tool for Victims of Violence and Non-Victims
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background/Objectives: Chronic pain in women arises from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. Despite its impact, validated screens for these bio-psycho-social risk factors are lacking. This study aimed to develop and validate a new screening and assessment tool to prevent chronic pain onset and detect hidden experiences of violence or trauma in women, also supporting individualized treatment. Methods: Conducted from December 2023 to June 2024 as part of a larger project, the original instrument comprised 36 bio-psycho-social risk factors. Rasch analysis was used for validation, assessing Infit, Outfit, DIF, ROC curves, and reliability indexes. Results: The sample included 239 women (100 victims), with 103 experiencing chronic pain, and 136 pain-free. Seven items were excluded due to poor fit, resulting in a 29-item version that met Rasch model criteria. Conclusions: The validated 29-item checklist, available in Italian, supports the bio-psycho-social model by identifying risk factors for chronic pain onset and detecting violence-related variables in diagnosed individuals. It offers clinicians and operators a practical tool to guide prevention and tailor personalized treatments. In addition, the RFCP-CK holds forensic relevance by offering measurable indicators that can support medico-legal evaluations, especially in cases where chronic pain is claimed to be a consequence of violence.
Source: Forensic Sciences
Authors: Allison Uvelli, Erica Pugliese, Fabio Ferretti
Institutions: University of Siena, University of Amsterdam
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,207
OpenAlex ID: W4416228021