Hassles predict physical health complaints in undergraduate students: a dynamic structural equation model analysis of daily diary data

Abstract

Objective

Daily hassles and physical health complaints are common among undergraduate students, and both are related to negative academic and psychosocial outcomes. However, the extent to which hassles or health complaints persist from day to day is underexplored, and studies examining whether hassles predict health complaints or vice versa, are lacking. This study aimed to examine the temporal stability and to define the temporal relationship between daily hassles and health symptoms in undergraduate students.

Design

Participants (n = 255, mean age = 19.2 years, 69% female, 53% White) completed 14 consecutive daily diaries of hassles and health complaints.

Main Outcome Measures

Daily reports of the Brief College Students Hassles Scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-15.

Results

Hassles and health complaints demonstrated stability through autocorrelations. Hassles significantly predicted subsequent health complaints, but health complaints did not significantly predict subsequent hassles. However, the two paths did not differ significantly.

Conclusion

Students reporting elevations in one or both domains may benefit from interventions aimed at reducing daily hassles, in order to promote better perceived health and well-being.

Keywords:

• Undergraduate students
• hassles
• physical health complaints

Acknowledgement

We thank George Bate for assistance in compiling the model diagnostics.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the DePaul-Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Pilot Grant Program.