The Relationship Between Perceived Stress Levels and Low Back Pain in Physical Therapy Students at Jazan University

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal issue among university students, particularly those in physically demanding programs such as physical therapy. Psychological stress, a common experience among students, has been identified as a potential risk factor for musculoskeletal pain. However, the association between perceived psychological stress and LBP in physical therapy students remains underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between perceived stress levels and low back pain in physical therapy students at Jazan University. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among physical therapy students at Jazan University between October and November 2024. Participants aged 18–30 years were surveyed using a structured questionnaire, which included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) to assess psychological stress and a standard LBP screening questionnaire. Sociodemographic variables and health-related behaviors were also collected. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Results: Out of 170 participants, 88% reported experiencing LBP. The majority of students (47.06%) exhibited moderate stress levels, and 28.24 % reported high stress levels. A statistically significant association was found between higher perceived stress levels and the presence of LBP (p < 0.05). Female students reported a higher prevalence of both stress and LBP compared to male students. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant relationship between psychological stress and low back pain among physical therapy students. These findings underscore the importance of implementing stress management and ergonomic education programs within academic settings to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.