Chronic Pain in College Students: Academic Impact and Coping Strategies
Explore the academic success and life satisfaction of college students with chronic pain, analyzing the difference in flourishing levels and GPAs between those with and without chronic pain. Results show lower GPAs for students with chronic pain, suggesting the need for support and resources for this student population.
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College Students and Chronic Pain Flourishing and Academic Success Chris Dallager, M.S.Ed. and Cecily Conour Carleton College
Background Limited and conflicting past findings on college students with chronic pain in terms of academic success and life satisfaction. In one study, the chronic pain group reported higher levels of academic interference than control group but no difference found on a measure of clinical depression, with both groups in no depression range (Thomas, Roy, Cook, and Marykuca, 1992). Yet another study using students with chronic pain entering a rehabilitation program found lower life satisfaction reports (Boonstra, Reneman, Stewart, Post, and Schiphorst Preuper, 2013).
Research Questions and Hypotheses Do college students with chronic pain have different levels of flourishing than college students without chronic pain? Hypothesis: Students with chronic pain will have significantly lower scores on a measure of flourishing than students without chronic pain. Do college students with chronic pain perform differently academically than college students without chronic pain? Hypothesis: Students with chronic pain will have significantly lower GPAs than students without chronic pain.
Methods Qualtrics survey emailed to students Numeric Rating Scale measure of pain severity CALI 21 measure of functional disability Mental Health Continuum MIDAS Long Form measure of emotional, psychological, and social well-being. This measure was used as a whole to assess flourishing.
RESULTS Current Pain Severity M SD 3.64 1.83 Worst Pain Severity M SD Average Pain Severity M SD Functional Disability Score M SD 7.95 1.94 4.19 1.56 20.96 14.31 Chronic Pain Status and Academic Flourishing Chronic Pain Status and GPA Academic Flourishing GPA 2 3.6 1.8 1.6 3.55 1.4 1.2 3.5 1 0.8 3.45 0.6 0.4 3.4 0.2 0 3.35 Students with Chronic Pain Students without Chronic Pain Students with Chronic Pain Students without Chronic Pain Academic Flourishing Chronic Pain Status n = 250 (112 Chronic Pain) t(202) = -3.38, p = .001 t(221) = -1.51, p = .132
Discussion Students with chronic pain showed significantly lower GPAs than students without chronic pain, both groups were achieving strong overall GPAs. Very selective schools in study need to replicate at other campuses. Promising sign - flourishing results did not differ significantly. Students with chronic pain may have developed coping strategies that allow them to effectively pursue their education Implications: prevalence of students living with some degree of chronic pain is high. While not all will seek resources from a Disability or Access office on campuses, there may be a need for increased connection or support. We have hired a student staff who will facilitate a chronic pain support group next academic year. Future research: Qualitative research to more fully understand the experiences of students with chronic pain will guide the directions of the Disability office. Further research with other diagnostic conditions and measures of flourishing will allow greater awareness of student experience and may guide Disability staff in considering how to allocate time and resources effectively.
