Examination of stress levels, physical activity, and musculoskeletal pain in earthquake-affected office workers

This study examined the effects of trauma levels on work stress, physical activity, and musculoskeletal pain in desk-based workers affected by the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquake. Data from 340 participants were analyzed to evaluate the impact of post-earthquake trauma on work stress and physical health. The assessment tools used included a sociodemographic form, Post-Earthquake Trauma Assessment Scale, Work Stress Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire, and Numerical Rating Pain Scale. The results of simple linear regression analysis showed that trauma levels significantly influenced work stress, the number of painful areas, and pain intensity (p < 0.001). The findings highlight that trauma has a substantial effect on work stress, with individuals experiencing higher trauma levels reporting elevated stress at work. This increased stress may negatively impact work productivity and job satisfaction. Regression analysis revealed that a one-unit increase in trauma levels leads to a significant rise in job stress. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between trauma levels and the number of painful areas. Workers with PTSD reported a greater number of painful body regions, indicating a strong link between psychological and physical stress. The findings also demonstrated that trauma significantly increased pain intensity at rest, during activity, and at night (p < 0.001), suggesting that musculoskeletal pain persists both day and night, adversely affecting sleep quality. The study also revealed that participants' physical activity levels were low, with most individuals classified as inactive or minimally active. This suggests that trauma negatively impacts physical activity, potentially leading to decreased mobility in postearthquake individuals. Based on these results, implementing workplace-based psychological support programs, stress management training, and physiotherapy interventions may help reduce work stress, improve job satisfaction, and address both psychological and physical health issues. Moreover, interventions aimed at enhancing sleep quality and promoting physical activity could contribute to overall health improvement. Future research is essential to explore post-traumatic experiences across different occupational groups and develop tailored intervention strategies for earthquake survivors. Keywords: Earthquake, job stress, musculoskeletal pain, physical activity, trauma