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. 2016 Nov;71(6):309-316.
doi: 10.1080/19338244.2015.1100104. Epub 2015 Sep 30.

Musculoskeletal pain, depression, and stress among Latino manual laborers in North Carolina

Anna Grace Tribble  1 , Phillip Summers  2 , Haiying Chen  3 , Sara A Quandt  4 , Thomas A Arcury  2
Affiliations

Musculoskeletal pain, depression, and stress among Latino manual laborers in North Carolina

Anna Grace Tribble et al. Arch Environ Occup Health. 2016 Nov.

Abstract

The jobs of Latino manual laborers place their mental and physical health at risk. This study evaluates the associations among musculoskeletal pain, mental health, and work organization in Latino manual laborers. Farmworkers and nonfarmworkers (n = 189) in North Carolina were interviewed for self-reported musculoskeletal pain, depressive symptoms, stress, work safety climate, and precarious job status. More nonfarmworkers than farmworkers had neck and shoulder pain, but they did not differ in other areas of musculoskeletal pain. Depressive symptoms had a significant association with neck and shoulder pain (p < .05). Precariousness had a significant association with back pain (p < .05). Farmworker participants had H-2A visas and were afforded some protection compared to nonfarmworker manual workers. Research is needed to improve policy that relieves pain and improves mental health for all Latino manual workers.

Keywords: Health disparity; immigrant health; immigrant workers; minority health; occupational health; organization of work.

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