Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

US and UK college students’ experiences of living with chronic pain: A qualitative analysis

  • Elizabeth Donovan
  • , Andrea Wolfson
  • , Danijela Serbic
  • , Emma Fisher
  • , Claire E. Lunde
  • , Charlotte Rice
  • , Olivia Trosen
  • , Christine B. Sieberg
  • Simmons University
  • Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Royal Holloway, University of London

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objective: To understand the lived experiences and needs of college students with chronic pain living in the US and the UK. 

Participants: College students (n = 115), mean age 21.4 years (SD = 1.73). 

Methods: As part of a larger survey, students were asked: (1) How, if at all, living with pain impacted their college experience; (2) Support they did/did not receive from students, faculty, staff, and college services; (3) What support would be most helpful to them as a college student living with pain. Qualitative data were analyzed using an immersion/crystallization approach. 

Results: Four main themes were identified: (1) Stress resulting from the rigid demands of academic life can exacerbate pain; (2) Lack of communication leaves many students feeling isolated; (3) Frustration at lack of faculty support; and (4) Need for chronic pain to be recognized. 

Conclusions: The findings suggest areas for intervention to support college students living with pain during this defining period.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3806-3812
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of American College Health
Volume73
Issue number10
Early online date16 Jan 2025
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Dec 2025

Data Availability Statement

Data is available on request from the authors.

Funding

Emma Fisher is funded by Versus Arthritis.

Funders
Versus Arthritis

    UN SDGs

    This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
      SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

    Keywords

    • College student
    • pain
    • qualitative

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'US and UK college students’ experiences of living with chronic pain: A qualitative analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this