Abstract

Objectives

Back pain and poor mental health are interrelated issues in older men. Evidence suggests that socioeconomic status moderates this relationship, but less is known about the role of subjective social status (SSS). This study examined if the association between back pain and mental health is moderated by SSS.

Method

We used a sample of community-dwelling older men (≥65 years) from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study (N = 5994). Participants self-reported their back pain severity and frequency over the past 12 months. SSS was assessed with the MacArthur Scale of SSS. Mental health was assessed with the SF-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS).

Results

Severe back pain was associated with lower SF-12 MCS scores (p = .03). Back pain frequency was not associated with SF-12 MCS scores. SSS moderated the back pain and mental health relationship. Among men with higher national or community SSS, the association between back pain severity and SF-12 MCS scores was not significant. However, among men with lower national or community SSS, more severe back pain was associated with lower SF-12 MCS scores (p’s < .001). Among those with lower national or community SSS, greater back pain frequency was also associated with lower SF-12 MCS scores (p’s < .05).

Conclusion

Where one ranks oneself within their nation or community matters for the back pain and mental health relationship. Higher SSS may be a psychosocial resource that buffers the negative associations of severe and frequent back pain on mental health in older men.

中文翻译：

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主观社会地位减轻老年男性的背痛和心理健康

摘要

目标

背痛和不良的心理健康是老年男性的相互关联的问题。有证据表明，社会经济地位缓和了这种关系，但对主观社会地位（SSS）的作用知之甚少。这项研究检查了背痛与心理健康之间的关联是否受到 SSS 的调节。

方法

我们使用了来自男性骨质疏松性骨折研究 ( N  = 5994)的社区老年男性（≥65 岁）样本。参与者自我报告了他们在过去 12 个月中的背痛严重程度和频率。SSS 采用麦克阿瑟 SSS 量表进行评估。心理健康通过 SF-12 心理成分总结 (MCS) 进行评估。

结果

严重的背痛与较低的 SF-12 MCS 评分相关（p = .03）。背痛频率与 SF-12 MCS 评分无关。SSS 缓和了背痛与心理健康的关系。在国家或社区 SSS 较高的男性中，背痛严重程度与 SF-12 MCS 评分之间的关​​联并不显着。然而，在国家或社区 SSS 较低的男性中，较严重的背痛与较低的 SF-12 MCS 评分相关（p < .001）。在国家或社区 SSS 较低的人群中，较高的背痛频率也与较低的 SF-12 MCS 评分相关（p < .05）。

结论

一个人在他们的国家或社区中排名自己的位置对背痛和心理健康关系很重要。较高的 SSS 可能是一种心理社会资源，可以缓冲严重和频繁背痛对老年男性心理健康的负面关联。