Can improving sleeping hours enhance the depression and anxiety of young males with chronic musculoskeletal pain?

BMC Public Health. 2025 Jan 21;25(1):252. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-21424-0.

Abstract

Purpose: Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is a costly public health threat that is closely related to mental health. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the status and factors related to CMP in young males.

Methods: A total of 126 young males with CMP were randomly sampled between June 20 and October 19, 2023. Demographic information was collected using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results: Moderate-to-mild CMP was showed (15.51 ± 10.07). Older age, lower education level, shorter sleeping hours, and more severe CMP were associated with lower mental health. Specifically, hierarchical regression and path analysis revealed that sleeping hours partially mediated the relationship between chronic musculoskeletal pain and mental health (coefficient = 0.249, p < 0 0.001).

Conclusion: Related risk factors are important for targeted intervention and treatment of CMP. Sleep intervention is conducive to depression and anxiety recovery in individuals with CMP. Based on the results of this study, further measures can be taken to mitigate the negative consequences of CMP on public mental health.

Keywords: Anxiety; Chronic musculoskeletal pain; Depression; Sleeping hours; Young males.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety*
  • Chronic Pain* / psychology
  • Chronic Pain* / therapy
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Musculoskeletal Pain* / psychology
  • Musculoskeletal Pain* / therapy
  • Risk Factors
  • Sleep*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult