Chronic Pain in University Students: Biopsychosocial Factors and their Functional Impact
Introduction. Non-cancer chronic pain is a significant global public health issue, particularly within specific populations, and is shaped by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. University students face unique lifestyle challenges that may increase their vulnerabil...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Spanish |
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Fundación Universitaria María Cano
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Revista de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias de la Salud |
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| Online Access: | https://riics.info/index.php/RCMC/article/view/465 |
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| author | Diego Mabe Castro Pablo Mancilla Pardo Matías Munzenmayer Morata Antonia Aracelli Cornejo Soto Matías Castillo-Aguilar Matías Mabe-Castro Carla Basualto-Alarcón Cristian Núñez-Espinosa |
| author_facet | Diego Mabe Castro Pablo Mancilla Pardo Matías Munzenmayer Morata Antonia Aracelli Cornejo Soto Matías Castillo-Aguilar Matías Mabe-Castro Carla Basualto-Alarcón Cristian Núñez-Espinosa |
| author_sort | Diego Mabe Castro |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Introduction. Non-cancer chronic pain is a significant global public health issue, particularly within specific populations, and is shaped by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. University students face unique lifestyle challenges that may increase their vulnerability to chronic pain and its associated functional impairments. However, this population remains underrepresented in research, leaving important gaps in our understanding.
Aim. This study explored the relationship between non-cancer chronic pain, its presence, characteristics, and functional impact, and biopsychosocial factors linked to university life, including physical activity, sleep quality, and mental health.
Methods. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 157 full-time students from two universities in Chile's Austral Macrozone. Data were collected using online questionnaires assessing pain, sociodemographic information, sleep, chronotype, physical activity, and mental health. Statistical analyses were carried out using Bayesian modeling.
Results. Females had a higher risk of chronic pain (exp(β) = 6.96), with greater intensity and functional impact. Engineering students were at higher risk compared to health sciences (exp(β) = 7.69), and health sciences compared to social sciences (exp(β) = 3.89). Moderate physical activity showed a protective effect against pain (exp(β) = 2.95). Matutine chronotypes and better sleep quality were linked to reduced functional impact and pain frequency.
Conclusion. Biopsychosocial variables —including sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity levels, mental health, and sleep quality— were significantly associated with the presence, frequency, and functional consequences of chronic pain among Chilean university students. These findings highlight the importance of addressing such factors in the development of preventive and management strategies targeting chronic pain in this population.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bf26cf04fd2445d9976cc00c49c03da6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2665-2056 |
| language | Spanish |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Fundación Universitaria María Cano |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Revista de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias de la Salud |
| spelling | doaj-art-bf26cf04fd2445d9976cc00c49c03da62025-08-20T02:58:21ZspaFundación Universitaria María CanoRevista de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias de la Salud2665-20562025-08-017210.46634/riics.465Chronic Pain in University Students: Biopsychosocial Factors and their Functional ImpactDiego Mabe Castro0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6663-2153Pablo Mancilla Pardo1https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5732-6773Matías Munzenmayer Morata2https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4950-8737Antonia Aracelli Cornejo Soto3https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2217-6904Matías Castillo-Aguilar4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7291-247XMatías Mabe-Castro5https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6577-8620Carla Basualto-Alarcón6https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0934-8201Cristian Núñez-Espinosa7https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9896-7062University of MagallanesUniversity of MagallanesUniversity of MagallanesUniversity of MagallanesUniversity of MagallanesUniversity of MagallanesUniversidad de AysénUniversity of Magallanes Introduction. Non-cancer chronic pain is a significant global public health issue, particularly within specific populations, and is shaped by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. University students face unique lifestyle challenges that may increase their vulnerability to chronic pain and its associated functional impairments. However, this population remains underrepresented in research, leaving important gaps in our understanding. Aim. This study explored the relationship between non-cancer chronic pain, its presence, characteristics, and functional impact, and biopsychosocial factors linked to university life, including physical activity, sleep quality, and mental health. Methods. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 157 full-time students from two universities in Chile's Austral Macrozone. Data were collected using online questionnaires assessing pain, sociodemographic information, sleep, chronotype, physical activity, and mental health. Statistical analyses were carried out using Bayesian modeling. Results. Females had a higher risk of chronic pain (exp(β) = 6.96), with greater intensity and functional impact. Engineering students were at higher risk compared to health sciences (exp(β) = 7.69), and health sciences compared to social sciences (exp(β) = 3.89). Moderate physical activity showed a protective effect against pain (exp(β) = 2.95). Matutine chronotypes and better sleep quality were linked to reduced functional impact and pain frequency. Conclusion. Biopsychosocial variables —including sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity levels, mental health, and sleep quality— were significantly associated with the presence, frequency, and functional consequences of chronic pain among Chilean university students. These findings highlight the importance of addressing such factors in the development of preventive and management strategies targeting chronic pain in this population. https://riics.info/index.php/RCMC/article/view/465Chronic painPain measurementBiopsychosocial modelSex factorsHealth behavior |
| spellingShingle | Diego Mabe Castro Pablo Mancilla Pardo Matías Munzenmayer Morata Antonia Aracelli Cornejo Soto Matías Castillo-Aguilar Matías Mabe-Castro Carla Basualto-Alarcón Cristian Núñez-Espinosa Chronic Pain in University Students: Biopsychosocial Factors and their Functional Impact Revista de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias de la Salud Chronic pain Pain measurement Biopsychosocial model Sex factors Health behavior |
| title | Chronic Pain in University Students: Biopsychosocial Factors and their Functional Impact |
| title_full | Chronic Pain in University Students: Biopsychosocial Factors and their Functional Impact |
| title_fullStr | Chronic Pain in University Students: Biopsychosocial Factors and their Functional Impact |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chronic Pain in University Students: Biopsychosocial Factors and their Functional Impact |
| title_short | Chronic Pain in University Students: Biopsychosocial Factors and their Functional Impact |
| title_sort | chronic pain in university students biopsychosocial factors and their functional impact |
| topic | Chronic pain Pain measurement Biopsychosocial model Sex factors Health behavior |
| url | https://riics.info/index.php/RCMC/article/view/465 |
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