The Role of Nonverbal Features of Caregiving Behavior

Pain experience and expression are complex and multiply determined by numerous biological, psychological, and social factors. However, the interpersonal context in which pain occurs has been largely understudied compared to intrapersonal factors. This chapter aims to review existing literature on nonverbal features of caregiving behavior occurring during transactions in pain contexts. Thus, we are shifting the spotlight to the observer of the individual in pain in considering the observer’s expressive behaviors, in addition to physiological responses which may influence observable actions. The nonverbal features of caregiving behavior reviewed include: vocal paralanguage and linguistics, kinesics and haptics, proxemics, and physiological activity. For each nonverbal feature, a review of the existing literature is provided by summarizing illustrative work first in the context of acute pain followed by chronic pain, during spousal interactions and parent–child interactions. Concrete recommendations for future research are provided in the concluding section.