Aim. The aim of study was recognition of psychosocial aspects of pain among palliative care patients, as well as nurses’ role in non-pharmacological management of pain. Material and methods. The pilot study was conducted among 40 nurses and 16 patients in stationary hospice. Results. In patients’ opinion the greatest influence on non-pharmacological pain relief has a family support and nurses support. There is a correlation between fear and anxiety occurrence and their influence on pain intensity (r = 0.848, p < 0.001) and sense of self-efficacy on pain reducing (r = 0.848, p < 0.001). Nurses claimed that previous pain experience 65% (n = 26), attitude toward pain 60% (n = 24), emotional status 95% (n = 38) and patients’ personality 92% (n = 37) could have an impact on pain response. Conclusions. Increasing pain causes an increased risk of depression, anxiety and anger in patients, while hope reduces the level of pain. Effective actions taken by nursing staff in non-pharmacological pain control are: providing a sense of security, conversation, presence and therapeutic touch. Criteria for assessing the patient's pain response should include personality, emotional state and previous pain experience.

Key words: psychosocial aspects of pain, palliative care, pain management, nurses.