The influence of childhood traumatic events on young adult pain, emotional functioning, and college adjustment
Embargo Date
2024-01-28
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Young adults aged 18-26, particularly college and university students, experience unique vulnerabilities including in emotional and physical functioning. Of concern is the lack of available support systems for these students. One issue that has been largely ignored is the prevalence of students experiencing pain on college campuses. The current project explores the role of pain on student functioning with a specific focus on whether students who have experienced childhood traumatic events have a greater prevalence of pain and the potential impact of these events on physical and emotional well-being.
METHODS: 169 students ranging from 18-26 years old and attending college or university in the United States were recruited to complete an online survey. 100 valid, complete records were analyzed for demographics, frequencies of sensory or emotional pain perception, and body parts experiencing pain and grouped according to pain intensity and duration. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures on anxiety, depression, pain behavior, and pain interference were also collected, and clinical cut-offs were examined. Mean scores for all measures were analyzed for variance between groups (pain vs. no pain, chronic vs. not chronic; mental health history vs. no mental health history; trauma vs. no trauma, violent trauma vs. nonviolent trauma) using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).
RESULTS: Pain symptoms were reported by 75% of the young adult sample, over half of which described symptoms indicative of chronic pain. One-third of the cohort reported having a positive history of or current mental health condition. Almost three-quarters of the students reported having experienced at least one childhood traumatic event. Anxiety, depression, and pain interference levels were higher in the pain group than the no pain group, and higher in the trauma group than the no trauma group. Of note, only 4% of students reported that they were registered with on-campus support services.
CONCLUSION: This study illuminated the high co-occurrence of pain, issues with emotional functioning, and history of childhood trauma within a young adult sample attending college or university. The severe underutilization of campus support resources was also brought to light. The relationship between physical health, mental health, and trauma should be further explored to expand the access and scope of on-campus support resources, maximizing health benefits for this vulnerable young adult population.