Psychological distress and musculoskeletal problems among Malaysian adults

The growing prevalence of psychological distress in Malaysia highlights a significant mental health burden among the adult population. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychological distress and musculoskeletal problems among adults in Malaysia.

This cross-sectional study recruited a total of 391 Malaysian adults. The questionnaire consisted of a sociodemographic section, the depression, anxiety and stress|(DAS) Scale-21 (DASS-21), and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.

The prevalence of DAS were 36.3%, 45.0% and 22.5%, respectively. Notably, 44.3% of respondents reported at least one musculoskeletal problem in the past week, with the neck (18.2%), shoulder (17.1%), and lower back (17.1%) being the most commonly affected areas. Significant differences were observed between age (p < 0.001), marital status (p < 0.001), and educational level (p < 0.05) with DAS. There were significant differences between ethnicity and both depression and anxiety (p < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that respondents with higher stress score (ß = 0.038, p = 0.046) were associated with a greater of musculoskeletal problems.

This study reveals a complex interplay between psychological distress and musculoskeletal problems.

This study provides novel insights into the prevalence of DAS among adults, alongside musculoskeletal problems. The findings highlight key sociodemographic differences in psychological distress and reveal a significant association between stress levels and musculoskeletal problems. These results underscore the need for integrated mental and physical health interventions to address the co-occurring burden of psychological distress and musculoskeletal disorders.