For several years, Ted has had back pain that is sufficiently severe that he has not been able to work. Nevertheless, physicians do not believe that the pain is as severe as one would believe from Ted's reaction. They have come to believe that Ted's presentation of his pain symptoms is related to his family's response. What term do physicians use for this phenomenon?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The term for this phenomenon is "secondary gain," which refers to a situation in which a person's symptoms or illness provide some type of tangible benefit, such as attention or support from family members. In Ted's case, his family's reaction to his pain may be reinforcing his behavior and making it more difficult for him to make progress in managing his symptoms.

For Several Years, Ted Has Had Back Pain That Is