ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ACADEMIC STRESSORS, REACTION TO STRESS, COPING STRATEGIES AND MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The adverse health effects of stress are enormous, and vary among people, probablybecause of differences in how stress is appraised and the strategies individuals use to cope with it. Thisstudy assessed the association between academic stress and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among1365 undergraduates.METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a Nigerian university at the beginning ofthe 2010/2011 academic session with the same group of participants. The Life Stress AssessmentInventory, Coping Strategies Questionnaire, and Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment wereadministered as tools of data gathering.RESULTS: Students’ stress level and associated MSDs were higher during the examination periodthan the pre-examination periods. Stressors were significantly associated with increased risk of MSDsin both sexes were those related to changes (odds ratio (OR) = 1.7, p = 0.002) and pressures (OR =2.09, p = 0.001). Emotional and physiological reactions to stress were significantly associated withMSDs in both sexes, with higher odds for MSDs in females, whereas cognitive and behavioralreactions showed higher odds (though non-significant) in males. The risk of MSDs was higher inrespondents who adopted avoidance and religious coping strategies compared with those who adoptedactive practical and distracting coping strategies.CONCLUSIONS: Stress among students could be significantly associated with MSDs depending onindividuals’ demographics, stressors, reactions to stress, and coping methods. Interventions to reducestress-induced MSDs among students should consider these factors among others.