Shoulder pain, shoulder disability, and depression as serial mediators between stress and health-related quality of life among middle-aged women
Jihyun Oh, Myung Kyung Lee
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study analyzed the mediating effects of shoulder pain, disability, and depression on the relationship between stress and health-related quality of life among middle-aged women using a serial mediation model. METHODS: Data on stress, health-related quality of life, shoulder pain, shoulder disability, and depression were collected from 565 women aged 35-64 years living in Seoul, South Korea, from May 13 to 23, 2021, using a self-reported, structured survey. SPSS PROCESS macro (Model 6) and serial mediation analysis were used to analyze the relationship between stress and health-related quality of life among participants, with shoulder pain, shoulder disability, and depression as mediators. RESULTS: The results indicate that stress had a statistically direct impact on health-related quality of life. In the serial mediation analysis, shoulder pain, disability, and depression were found to be statistically significant, thus affecting the relationship between stress and health-related quality of life, with an explanatory power of 33%. Therefore, the relationship between stress and health-related quality of life was partially mediated by these variables. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, this study suggests the need for healthcare workers to develop methods, such as exercise intervention programs based on various degrees and types of physical activity, to improve health-related quality of life and reduce stress caused by shoulder pain, shoulder disability, and depression among middle-aged women.