The relationship between perceived stress and asthma symptoms among public universities students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent and fluctuating airflow limitations. The objective of the study was to assess the association between stress and asthma symptoms among students enrolled at public universities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology...

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Main Authors: Mohammed A. Almeshari, Lujain Bahashwan, Dalal Alomran, Leen alzahrani, Hailah Alomair, Ghaida Alassaf, Abdullah M. Alanazi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-02-01
Series:Discover Social Science and Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-025-00170-z
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author Mohammed A. Almeshari
Lujain Bahashwan
Dalal Alomran
Leen alzahrani
Hailah Alomair
Ghaida Alassaf
Abdullah M. Alanazi
author_facet Mohammed A. Almeshari
Lujain Bahashwan
Dalal Alomran
Leen alzahrani
Hailah Alomair
Ghaida Alassaf
Abdullah M. Alanazi
author_sort Mohammed A. Almeshari
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent and fluctuating airflow limitations. The objective of the study was to assess the association between stress and asthma symptoms among students enrolled at public universities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted, utilizing the Arabic-validated questionnaires of the asthma control test (ACT), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) as the primary instrument for data collection. Statistical analysis was performed using RStudio software. Appropriate ethical guidelines were followed throughout the research process. Results The study included 156 public university students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The participants were predominantly female (84.0%) with a median age of 21 years. Using PSS, 3.2% had low, 80.1% had moderate, and 16.6% had high perceived stress levels. In total, 127 participants (81.4%) reported experiencing respiratory symptoms. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and smoking status, students with high perceived stress were found to be more likely to report respiratory symptoms compared to those with moderate stress (OR: 6.85, 95% CI 1.20–130.0). This demonstrated a significant association between increased stress and asthma related symptoms. Conclusion High perceived stress levels were associated with respiratory symptoms. These findings should be utilized to build strategies for improving the management and control of asthma symptoms in this population.
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spelling doaj-art-e1414afcc33b4aaeaab8024dcf798e972025-08-20T02:54:37ZengSpringerDiscover Social Science and Health2731-04692025-02-01511810.1007/s44155-025-00170-zThe relationship between perceived stress and asthma symptoms among public universities students in Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaMohammed A. Almeshari0Lujain Bahashwan1Dalal Alomran2Leen alzahrani3Hailah Alomair4Ghaida Alassaf5Abdullah M. Alanazi6Rehabilitation Health Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud UniversityRespiratory Therapy Program, Rehabilitation Sciences Department, Faculty of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman UniversityRespiratory Therapy Program, Rehabilitation Sciences Department, Faculty of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman UniversityRespiratory Therapy Program, Rehabilitation Sciences Department, Faculty of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman UniversityRespiratory Therapy Program, Rehabilitation Sciences Department, Faculty of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman UniversityRespiratory Therapy Program, Rehabilitation Sciences Department, Faculty of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman UniversityDepartment of Respiratory Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesAbstract Background Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent and fluctuating airflow limitations. The objective of the study was to assess the association between stress and asthma symptoms among students enrolled at public universities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted, utilizing the Arabic-validated questionnaires of the asthma control test (ACT), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) as the primary instrument for data collection. Statistical analysis was performed using RStudio software. Appropriate ethical guidelines were followed throughout the research process. Results The study included 156 public university students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The participants were predominantly female (84.0%) with a median age of 21 years. Using PSS, 3.2% had low, 80.1% had moderate, and 16.6% had high perceived stress levels. In total, 127 participants (81.4%) reported experiencing respiratory symptoms. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and smoking status, students with high perceived stress were found to be more likely to report respiratory symptoms compared to those with moderate stress (OR: 6.85, 95% CI 1.20–130.0). This demonstrated a significant association between increased stress and asthma related symptoms. Conclusion High perceived stress levels were associated with respiratory symptoms. These findings should be utilized to build strategies for improving the management and control of asthma symptoms in this population.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-025-00170-zAsthmaStressSaudi ArabiaPublic universities students
spellingShingle Mohammed A. Almeshari
Lujain Bahashwan
Dalal Alomran
Leen alzahrani
Hailah Alomair
Ghaida Alassaf
Abdullah M. Alanazi
The relationship between perceived stress and asthma symptoms among public universities students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Discover Social Science and Health
Asthma
Stress
Saudi Arabia
Public universities students
title The relationship between perceived stress and asthma symptoms among public universities students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
title_full The relationship between perceived stress and asthma symptoms among public universities students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
title_fullStr The relationship between perceived stress and asthma symptoms among public universities students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
title_full_unstemmed The relationship between perceived stress and asthma symptoms among public universities students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
title_short The relationship between perceived stress and asthma symptoms among public universities students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
title_sort relationship between perceived stress and asthma symptoms among public universities students in riyadh saudi arabia
topic Asthma
Stress
Saudi Arabia
Public universities students
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-025-00170-z
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