Objective: Coping with musculoskeletal pain is associated with severe pain behavior. This study aims to determine the factors associated with coping among Filipino migrant workers in Malaysia with musculoskeletal pain. Methods: Ninety Filipino migrant workers were purposively selected from a training school based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Participants were asked to answer the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) to identify body regions with musculoskeletal pain. Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) - 24 was used to determine coping strategies and control over pain. Results: Pain in shoulders (63.3%) and low back (55.6%) were common in the last 12 months. Participants use diversion (18.4 ± 9.8), cognitive coping (18.1 ± 10.1), and reinterpreting (13.7 ± 8.4) as their coping strategies, with a median control over pain of 3 (some control of pain). A statistically significant association is noted between cognitive coping, diversion, and reinterpreting coping strategies to control over pain (p value <0.05). Conclusions: Participants who utilized diversion and cognitive coping strategies have better control over pain. Catastrophizing is significantly associated with complaints of pain on the elbow, wrist/hand, low back, and hips/ thigh in the past 12 months. Diversion is associated with pain on neck, shoulder, elbow, upper back, hips/thigh, and ankle/feet while catastrophizing is associated for pain in the elbow, wrist/hand, and low back that is present in the last 7 days. Education about positive coping such as cognitive coping, diversion, and reinterpreting as well as recognition about musculoskeletal disorders is recommended. © 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Musculoskeletal pain Filipino migrant workers Coping Malaysia coping strategies

[No Keywords available]