Syndemic interactions of chronic pain, mental health problems, and opioid misuse and their association with academic performance and quality of life among college students

Background

College students experience multiple stressors impacting academic performance and quality of life (QoL), including chronic pain, mental health issues, and opioid misuse, which can co-occur and exacerbate one another. Guided by syndemic theory, this study examined the associations between these three health conditions and academic performance and QoL.

Methods

We analyzed cross-sectional data from 334,957 students from the ACHA-NCHA III survey (2019–2022). Lifetime chronic pain and mental health problems were self-reported based on provider diagnosis or symptoms. Opioid misuse was defined as ever using heroin or using prescription opioids for nonmedical purposes. Syndemic burden was measured using individual indicators, a composite count (0–3), and interactions terms. Academic performance was measured via a binary indicator of impeded performance, and QoL was assessed using a weighted average score from four validated WHOQOL-BREF domains. Multiple logistic and linear regression were used, adjusting for demographic and contextual variables.

Results

Greater syndemic burden was associated with worse outcomes. Students with all three conditions had the highest odds of impeded academic performance (aOR = 7.38, 95 % CI: 6.52, 8.35) and the lowest QoL scores (${\hat{\beta }}_{ADJ}$ = −12.05, 95 % CI: −12.37, −11.73). Each factor was independently associated with adverse outcomes, and significant interaction effects, especially when mental health problems were present, suggested syndemic amplification.

Conclusion

These findings support a syndemic framework linking chronic pain, mental health problems, and opioid misuse with academic and QoL outcomes in college students. Interventions should prioritize integrated mental health services and non-pharmacological pain management options in college health systems.