Study results provided new information about the
characteristics of adolescents with JPFS who were homeschooled.
Although the relatively small number of homeschooled
patients precluded statistical analyses, there did
not appear to be any evidence of differences in pain severity
and depressive symptoms between those who were
homeschooled compared to those who were enrolled in
regular school. Findings from another recent study in pediatric
chronic pain indicated that children who were
allowed accommodations in school (such as being sent
to the nurse’s office, sent home when in pain, reduced
workload or hours in school, extensions on assignments)
had higher levels of school impairment and their grades
were no higher than those who were not provided with
accommodations (Logan et al., 2008). Contrary to expectations,
maternal pain history was not associated with
school absenteeism. This study did not specifically assess
coping with pain symptoms in parents with a positive pain
history; thus, this is an interesting area for further
investigation.