Romantic relationship status changes and substance use among 18- to 20-year-olds

Risky Alcohol Use and Romantic Relationships Among College Students: A Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

Risky alcohol use is frequent among college students and can be associated with functional outcomes. Bidirectional associations have been shown between alcohol use and the stability of romantic relationships, though little is known about the longitudinal association between risky alcohol use and romantic relationships in college and about college students' perceived stress regarding one's love life. Objectives: The present study aims to explore these relationships both cross-sectionally and at one-year follow-up.

METHOD

Data were drawn, from the French portion of the World Mental Health International College Student Survey initiative (WMH-ICS). First-year college students who completed an online survey (n = 1,624) and a second survey at one-year follow-up (n = 727) were included. Current romantic relationship status and stress regarding one's love life, past-year risky alcohol use, lifetime presence of DSM-5 mental health disorders and sociodemographic correlates were assessed.

RESULTS

Risky alcohol use was cross-sectionally associated with dating in multivariate models adjusting for lifetime mental disorders (aOR = 1.70, 95%CI = 1.31-2.20), and in particular with unsteady relationships (aOR = 2.87, 95%CI = 2.01-4.10), but was no longer associated with both one year later. Risky alcohol use was, however, not associated with severe perceived stress regarding one's love life in multivariate models adjusting for lifetime mental disorders in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, while it was associated in bivariate models for both analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings extend our understanding of the association between excessive drinking and romantic relationship patterns among college students underlying the importance of comorbid disorders.

"Lovesick": Mental Health and Romantic Relationships among College Students

This research investigated the interpersonal impact of self-reported mental health diagnoses and/or perceptions on undergraduate students' current or most recent romantic relationship. Analysis of data from a 43-item online questionnaire completed by 267 undergraduates revealed that 68.3% of women and 52.5% of men reported having either been professionally diagnosed with a mental illness or perceive themselves to be mentally ill based on DSM criteria, with women and white students reporting significantly higher levels. Sociologically speaking, mental illness was found to influence relationship initiation, maintenance, and dissolution in this study. The mental health of the respondents' potential partners was an important consideration in deciding to form a relationship, particularly for male, white, heterosexuals. When the respondents reported relationship problems, men were more likely to blame such problems on mental health issues than women. Finally, though more respondents reported having broken up with a romantic partner who had mental health issues than had romantic partners break up with them, there were no significant gender, race, or sexual orientation differences in the termination of these romantic relationships. Study findings emphasize the importance of acknowledging and providing mental health resources-particularly interpersonal options-for emerging adults in the college setting.

A risk algorithm that predicts alcohol use disorders among college students

The first year of college may carry especially high risk for onset of alcohol use disorders. We assessed the one-year incidence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) among incoming first-year students, predictors of AUD-incidence, prediction accuracy and population impact. A prospective cohort study of first-year college students (baseline: N = 5843; response rate = 51.8%; 1-year follow-up: n = 1959; conditional response rate = 41.6%) at a large university in Belgium was conducted. AUD were evaluated with the AUDIT and baseline predictors with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Screening Scales (CIDI-SC). The one-year incidence of AUD was 3.9% (SE = 0.4). The most important individual-level baseline predictors of AUD incidence were being male (OR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.12-2.10), a break-up with a romantic partner (OR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.08-2.59), hazardous drinking (OR = 3.36; 95% CI = 1.31-8.63), and alcohol use characteristics at baseline (ORs between 1.29 and 1.38). Multivariate cross-validated prediction (cross-validated AUC = 0.887) shows that 55.5% of incident AUD cases occurred among the 10% of students at highest predicted risk (20.1% predicted incidence in this highest-risk subgroup). Four out of five students with incident AUD would hypothetically be preventable if baseline hazardous drinking was to be eliminated along with a reduction of one standard deviation in alcohol use characteristics scores, and another 15.0% would potentially be preventable if all 12-month stressful events were eliminated. Screening at college entrance is a promising strategy to identify students at risk of transitioning to more problematic drinking and AUD, thus improving the development and deployment of targeted preventive interventions.

Youth's personal relationships, psychological symptoms, and the use of different substances: A population-based study

Background: Externalising symptoms and peer influence are well-established predictors of youth's substance use in general. However, there is little integrative research that compares the relative contribution of psychological and social relationship characteristics as predictors of the use of specific substances among youth in different developmental stages. Methods: A representative sample of Danish adolescents (n  =  1,168) and emerging adults (EA; n  =  1,878) reported last-month prevalence use of cigarettes, cannabis, and other illicit drugs (OID), and four indices of alcohol use. Predictor variables included internalising and externalising symptoms, and major characteristics of the youth's relationships (e.g., parental drug use, number of close friends). Results: Having a close friend who used illicit drugs, and high externalising symptoms, predicted the risk for using all substances across both age groups. Alcohol use was more consistently related to peer-related variables than to symptoms. Smoking cigarettes, cannabis use, and OIDs use were related to peer and symptom variables. Age group moderated some associations. Parental separation was related more strongly to alcohol use among adolescents than among EA, and higher internalising symptoms were more strongly related to smoking and using OIDs among adolescents than among EA. Male EAs had higher risk for using alcohol than female EAs. Conclusion: Beyond having a close friend who used illicit drugs, and externalising problems, the use of each substance was better explained by a different group of variables. There were few but important moderations by age group. The findings highlight the need for research on risk factors for substance use that is developmentally sensitive, particularly for adolescents, and for specific substances. Thus, interventions and policies should address social, developmental, and psychological factors.

Risk factors for elevations in substance use and consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic among sexual and gender minorities assigned female at birth

BACKGROUND

Problematic substance use (SU) has increased substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic. While studies have identified risk factors for problematic SU during the pandemic (e.g., anxiety, depression, using substances to cope), these studies have been predominately cross-sectional, rarely examined changes in SU contexts during the pandemic as potential risk factors, and neglected sexual and gender minorities (SGM) - a health disparity population disproportionately impacted by substance use disorders and the pandemic.

METHOD

We utilized two waves of data collected one month apart from a sample of 212 SGM assigned female at birth who used alcohol and/or cannabis (18-25 years old) collected between August 2020-February 2021. We examined associations between potential risk factors (i.e., retrospectively reported changes in anxiety/depression and in using substances in different contexts since before the pandemic): and 1) retrospectively reported changes in alcohol and cannabis consumption; 2) coping motives for use and SU consequences; and 3) subsequent changes in coping motives and consequences.

RESULTS

An increase in solitary SU was a robust risk factor for concurrent and prospective increases in SU, coping motives, and consequences. Increases in SU with romantic partners were associated with concurrent increases in alcohol/cannabis consumption and consequences. Increases in anxiety and depression were associated with concurrent increases in SU and higher coping motives and consequences.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate that solitary SU and increases in SU with romantic partners are robust risk factors for increases in SU and consequences in the context of the pandemic. Further, findings provide support for the self-medication theory of substance use.

Within-person associations between romantic involvement and mental health among sexual and gender minorities assigned female-at-birth

Sexual and gender minorities assigned female at birth (SGM-AFAB) experience significant mental health disparities, making it important to identify protective factors against psychological and substance use problems in this population. We examined whether romantic relationship involvement, a well-established protective factor for mental health in heterosexual adults, is protective for SGM-AFAB young people. Using five waves of data from 488 racially diverse SGM-AFAB (ages 16-31 years at baseline), we assessed within-person associations between relationship involvement and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and problematic alcohol and cannabis use. We tested for differences in these associations by age; sexual, gender, and racial identity; relationship status; and partner gender, and whether romantic involvement buffers the negative effects of anti-SGM victimization. Multilevel models indicated that participants reported fewer depressive symptoms, alcohol use problems, and cannabis use problems when romantically involved than when single. Romantic involvement was associated with fewer anxiety symptoms for Latinx participants only. Associations did not differ by age and were generally consistent (with some exceptions) across sexual, gender, and racial identity. Effects on substance use were stronger for long-term commitments than dating relationships. Participants reported less depression and anxiety, but more alcohol or cannabis use, when romantically involved with cisgender women than with cisgender men or gender minority partners. Together, findings suggest that relationship involvement is broadly protective of mental health among SGM-AFAB, though it may not buffer the negative effects of SGM victimization. Efforts to reduce SGM-AFAB mental health disparities should consider including strategies to support healthy relationship involvement. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Narrative theory III: Evolutionary narratives addressing mating motives change discounting and tobacco valuation

Relationships between discounting and addictive behaviors have both state- and trait-based components. Evolutionarily driven motives may trigger risk-taking behaviors, and narratives might be used to alter the temporal window of reward valuation. The current investigation-in 2 separate studies-sought to understand the basic effects of narratives on smoking behavior by examining the effect of mating narratives on the discounting rates of cigarette smokers. Using data collected online, Study 1 (N = 132) assessed the within-individual effect of a mating narrative describing a long-term romantic relationship on rates of discounting after being randomly assigned to 1 of 2 narratives (romance or control) and Study 2 (N = 273) assessed the between-individual effect of 2 mating narratives (1 describing a long-term romantic relationship and 1 describing a short-term sexual encounter) on rates of discounting, craving, and cigarette valuation after being randomly assigned to 1 of 3 motivational narratives (romance, sex, or control). Reading the romance narrative decreased rates of discounting (i.e., increased preference for larger delayed rewards), compared to a control narrative (Studies 1 and 2). In contrast, reading the sexual narrative increased discounting (i.e., decreased preference for larger delayed rewards). Moreover, the romance narrative significantly decreased craving of cigarettes while the sexual narrative increased cigarette valuation (Study 2). These findings suggest that mating narratives may be useful in manipulating the temporal window of reward valuation, relevant for altering demand and craving, and may show potential as a component of future behavioral addiction interventions. Given the small effect sizes, replicating the study in future research will be beneficial. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

The Role of Relationship Changes in College Students' Heavy Episodic Drinking

OBJECTIVE

The beginning of college is a period in which increased alcohol use often coincides with greater involvement in romantic relationships. Existing literature yields inconsistent findings regarding the influence of relationship types on drinking behavior, perhaps because these studies have not accounted for recent changes in the way college students engage in dating/sexual relationships.

METHODS

The present study sought to address this issue using a longitudinal study design by examining the effects of both relationship type and sexual activity on heavy episodic drinking (HED) among 1,847 college students over the course of the first 3 semesters of college.

RESULTS

Results indicated that the effects of relationship type depended on whether an individual was sexually active. Nondating but sexually active students reported rates of HED comparable to students who defined themselves as casual daters. Conversely, nondating students who were not sexually active reported drinking behavior similar to those involved in exclusive relationships. Further, transitions between low- and high-risk relationship/sexual activity types were associated with corresponding changes in HED. Transitioning into a high-risk relationship was associated with significant increases in levels of HED, whereas transitioning into a low-risk relationship was associated with significant decreases in HED.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, results indicate that engaging in nonexclusive dating or casual sexual relationships may play an important role in the development of problematic patterns of alcohol use during the early college years. These findings have potentially important implications both for future research and for prevention and intervention efforts targeting high-risk college drinkers.

Romantic Involvement and Mental Health in Sexual and Gender Minority Emerging Adults Assigned Female at Birth

We examined whether romantic relationship involvement, a well-established protective factor against mental health problems among heterosexual adults, is also protective for sexual and gender minority emerging adults assigned female at birth (SGM-AFAB), a group at high risk for mental health issues. Using cross-sectional data from a community sample of 222 SGM-AFAB ages 18-20 years, we assessed associations between current relationship involvement and five mental health variables: depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, alcohol use problems, cannabis use problems, and illicit drug use. There were no differences by romantic involvement in problematic cannabis use or other illicit drug use. Overall, participants in a relationship reported fewer depressive symptoms, fewer anxiety symptoms, and less problematic alcohol use than participants who were single. Some associations differed, however, by participant gender identity, sexual orientation identity, and partner gender. Specifically, relationship involvement was associated with fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms for cisgender female participants (n=154) but not for gender minority participants (n=68), and for lesbian participants (n=38) but not for bisexual/pansexual participants (n=134) or those with other sexual orientation identities (n=50). Participants romantically involved with a cisgender female partner (n=43) had fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms than single participants (n=100), those with a cisgender male partner (n=56), and those with a gender minority partner (n=23). Together, these findings suggest that romantic involvement may promote mental health for many, but not all, SGM young adults, highlighting the importance of attending to differences among SGM subgroups in research and efforts to reduce mental health and substance use disparities.

Functional and structural social support, substance use and sexual orientation from a nationally representative sample of US adults

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Sexual minority (SM) populations experience higher rates of substance use disorder (SUD) associated with increased sexual orientation-related stress. Social support may moderate the impact of stress on SUD among SM adults. This study assessed associations between social support and DSM-5 SUD by sex and sexual minority identity.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study using data from the 2012-13 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-III).

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A nationally representative cross-sectional sample of adults (n = 36 309) in the United States.

MEASUREMENTS

SUD were defined based on the DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use (AUD), tobacco use (TUD) and drug use (DUD) disorders. Structural social support was measured as the type and frequency of kin and non-kin contact, and functional social support was measured by the Social Provision Scale.

FINDINGS

SM adults had higher odds of all SUD compared to heterosexual adults [AUD = 1.535, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.782-1.844; TUD = 1.512, 95% CI = 1.234-1.854; DUD = 1.520, 95% CI = 1.139-2.028]; SM women experienced the highest proportion of all SUD (AUD = 27.1%, TUD = 29.1%, DUD = 10.9%). Type of social support was differentially associated with SUD by sex and sexual identity status. Higher social provision was associated with lower rates of AUD [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.771, 95% CI = 0.705-0.844], TUD (aOR = 0.747, 95% CI = 0.694-0.804] and DUD (aOR = 0.558, 95% CI = 0.490-0.636). Marriage was associated with lower SUD among heterosexual men (AUD, aOR = 0.500, 95% CI = 0.432-0.579; TUD, aOR = 0.603, 95% CI = 0.521-0.699; DUD, aOR = 0.504, 95% CI = 0.369-0.689) and women (AUD, aOR = 0.637, 95% CI = 0.529-0.767; TUD = 0.0.584, 95% CI = 0.507-0.671; DUD, aOR = 0.515, 95% CI = 0.372-0.712). Compared to heterosexual adults, SM women with at least one child under the age of 18 years had higher odds of TUD (aOR = 1.990, 95% CI = 1.325-2.988). SM-related discrimination was not associated with SUD among some SM subgroups, but discrimination among male heterosexually identifying individuals reporting same-sex attraction or behavior was associated AUD (aOR = 4.608, 95% CI = 1.615-13.14).

CONCLUSIONS

In the United States there are significant associations between functional support (quality or provision of support) and structural support (type and frequency of social networks) and substance use disorder (SUD) which differ by sex and sexual identity status.

Disruption of Transitions in High-Risk Substance Use from Adolescence to Young Adulthood: School, Employment, and Romantic Relationship Factors

Background: Few studies have examined social-contextual moderators of substance use transitions from adolescence to young adulthood. A better understanding of the extent to which school, employment, and romantic relationships can disrupt high-risk use patterns could inform strategies for substance use prevention and treatment.Objective: The current study examines the extent school, employment, and relationship factors can disrupt transition in high-risk substance use patterns from adolescence to young adulthood.Method: Data were collected biennially from 662 youth in six assessments across ten years (2003-2013). Using latent transition analysis (LTA) that examined transition is substance use classes, we examined school, employment, and relationship moderators of use transitions.Results: Few differences were found during adolescence with the most significant findings occurring in the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Examining the transitions from adolescence to young adulthood (W4 to W6), we found evidence that school, employment, and relationship status disrupted problematic substance use patterns, such that, individuals that indicated entering school, working full-time, or getting married or entering a relationship were more likely to transition to a low-risk substance use class than remain in the high-risk class.Conclusions/Importance: Findings underscore the importance of school completion, obtaining stable career employment, and quality relationship to help reduce high-risk substance use patterns leading into young adulthood. Prevention and intervention efforts should consider the diverse needs of youth and be prepared to provide a wide range of services that include educational opportunities and career development if they want to reduce high-risk substance use patterns.

Age-varying associations of parental knowledge and antisocial peer behavior with adolescent substance use

Antisocial peer behavior and low parental knowledge of adolescents' activities are key interpersonal risk factors for adolescent substance use. However, how the magnitude of associations between these risk factors and substance use may vary across adolescence remains less well understood. The present study examined the age-varying associations of parental knowledge and antisocial peer behavior with adolescents' substance use (i.e., cigarette use, drunkenness, and marijuana use) using time-varying effect modeling. Using data from the Promoting School-Community-University Partnerships to Enhance Resilience (PROSPER) study, the final sample consists of 8,222 adolescents, followed from Grade 6 to Grade 12 (age 11 to age 18.9), including those who newly joined the schools at the targeted grade levels. Results showed that low parental knowledge and antisocial peer behavior were significantly associated with the use of each of the three substances across the majority of adolescence. The magnitude of the associations between substance use and both risk factors decreased across age, except between peer risk and marijuana use. Further, there was a significant interaction between parent and peer risk factors such that low parental knowledge was less strongly associated with substance use at higher levels of antisocial peer behavior. Findings highlighted early adolescence as an important period to target parent and peer prevention and interventions for reducing early substance use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Substance use in kidney transplant candidates and its impact on access to kidney transplantation

BACKGROUND

Due to the increasing public acceptance of substance use, it is important to understand the association between substance use and access to kidney transplant and its outcomes. Here, we assess the sociodemographic predictors of substance use and the association between substance use and KT access.

METHODS

Predictors of substance use were examined using a multivariable-adjusted multinomial logistic regression. The association between current substance use (tobacco and drug) and time from referral to listing or receipt of a KT was examined using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Of 2346 patients, the prevalence of current substance use was 17%. Predictors of current tobacco use were younger age, male sex, Caucasian ethnicity, being unemployed, and unmarried. Predictors of current drug use were younger age, male sex, Caucasian ethnicity, a history of non-adherence, and a history of mental health disorder. Patients with tobacco use had a decreased likelihood of being cleared for KT (hazard ratio [HR]:0.83[0.70, 0.99]) and receiving a KT (HR:0.80 [0.66, 0.96]). No association was seen in this sample for patients with drug use (HR:0.88 [0.69, 1.11] for being cleared for KT and 0.88 [0.69, 1.14] for KT, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Tobacco use was associated with a decreased likelihood of access to KT whereas there was no statistically significant difference in access to KT between patients with or without drug use.

Plenty of Fish in the Ocean: How do Traits Reflecting Resiliency Moderate Adjustment After Experiencing a Romantic Breakup in Emerging Adulthood?

Breakups are common but often one of the most distressing experiences that young people can have. Poor adjustment to relationship loss is linked to depressive symptoms and rumination. This study assessed traits that reflect resiliency and that might comprise protective factors that ameliorate depressive symptoms and rumination. Online survey participants included 866 male and female late adolescents (18-22 years; Mean age = 20.7; 62% female; 82% White/Caucasian; 7% Asian/Southeast Asian; 6% Black/African American) who recently had experienced the breakup of a romantic relationship. Analyses assessed whether optimism, grit, and self-esteem moderated the breakup-adjustment relationship. After controlling for gender and current relationship status, higher optimism, self-esteem, and grit were expected to be associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms and rumination for those who had experienced a breakup in the three months prior to the study, and for the most part, these predictions were confirmed. These findings can be reinforced in education and counseling programs to better support individuals suffering the aftermath of a breakup. The findings add to the literature on adolescents' development of interpersonal functioning and skills required in intimate relationships.

Descriptive and Prospective Analysis of Young Adult Alcohol Use and Romantic Relationships: Disentangling between- and within-Person Associations Using Monthly Assessments

BACKGROUND

Prior research on romantic relationships and alcohol use among young adults has not distinguished between differences in patterns of relationship status over extended periods of time and within-person changes in status that only occur for some individuals.

OBJECTIVES

This study captured between-person differences in relationship patterns, assessed associations between relationship patterns and alcohol use, and examined within-person associations between alcohol use and relationship status changes. In addition, age and sex differences in between- and within-person associations were tested.

METHODS

We used multilevel modeling of monthly data collected over one year on alcohol use and romantic relationship status from a Seattle area community sample of 620 young adults (ages 18-24).

RESULTS

Participants were coded into six relationship pattern groups: (1) single-not-dating (16%), (2) stable-in-a-relationship (30%), (3) single-dating (10%), (4) ended-a-relationship (14%), (5) started-a-relationship (13%), and (6) ended-and-started-a-relationship (18%). Single-not-dating and stable-in-a-relationship groups reported the least drinking across the entire year; the single-dating, ended-a-relationship, and ended-and-started-a-relationship groups reported higher levels of drinking. Examining within-person changes in groups 3-6 revealed increases in drinking associated with months of dating among the single-dating group, months postbreakup among the ended-a-relationship group, and months of breaking up and starting a new relationship among the ended-and-started-a-relationship group. Few differences by age or sex were found for between- or within-person associations.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings point to heterogeneity in patterns of relationship status over time, differences in relationship patterns associated with variations in drinking, and particular time points of elevated risk for young adults who experience changes in status.

Effects of romantic involvement on substance use among young sexual and gender minorities

BACKGROUND

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents and young adults experience elevated rates of alcohol and drug use; it is, therefore, important to identify protective factors that decrease risk for substance use in this population. This study examined whether involvement in a romantic relationship, a well-established protective factor against heavy drinking and drug use among heterosexual adults, is also protective for SGM youth.

METHODS

This study used eight waves of data provided by a community sample of 248 racially diverse SGM youth (ages 16-20 years at baseline). Multilevel structural equation models were used to assess within-person associations between relationship involvement and use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and other illicit drugs. Age, gender, and sexual identity were tested as moderators.

RESULTS

Romantic involvement was associated with less drinking for all participants (Rate Ratio = 0.64) and decreased likelihood of illicit drug use for gay and lesbian participants (Odds Ratio = 0.56). However, participants reported smoking 26% more cigarettes when romantically involved. Further, among bisexuals, romantic involvement was associated with increased marijuana (Rate Ratio = 2.31) and other illicit drug use (Odds Ratio = 2.39).

CONCLUSIONS

Study findings indicate some protective effects of relationship involvement against substance use among SGM youth, particularly with respect to alcohol and illicit drugs other than marijuana. However, dating may promote smoking in all SGM youth and drug use in bisexual youth. The demographic differences observed in the effects of romantic involvement highlight the importance of attending to differences among SGM youth in research, theory, and substance use reduction efforts.

Adolescents' Daily Romantic Experiences and Negative Mood: A Dyadic, Intensive Longitudinal Study

Romantic relationships, although increasingly normative during adolescence, also present unique developmental challenges that can portend psychological difficulties. Underlying these difficulties may be the degree to which daily romantic transactions potentiate fluctuations in negative mood. The present study examined associations between adolescents' daily romantic relationship experiences and their same-day negative affective states (i.e., fluctuations in high-arousal, aversive mood). Using a dyadic ecological momentary assessment (EMA) design, this study followed an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of 98 adolescent romantic couples twice weekly for 12 weeks (n = 196 individuals; M_age = 16.74 years, SD = 0.90; 45% Latina/o, 45% White; 55% receiving free or reduced meals). The results indicated that various daily romantic experiences (e.g., conflict, feelings about the relationship) predicted greater same-day negative affect. Beyond the effects of these romantic experiences, adolescent couples were also synchronized in their fluctuating negative affective states, evidencing the presence of emotional contagion. Overall, the findings indicate the salience of romantic relationships in the everyday lives of adolescents.

Long-distance dating relationships, relationship dissolution, and college adjustment

Long-distance dating relationships (LDDRs) and the dissolution of these relationships may have implications for day-to-day affect and behaviors. The current study examined the associations of relationship status, long-distance relationship dissolution, and daily location with daily positive affect, loneliness, university activity engagement, and alcohol use. College students ( n = 718, 51.5% female, 43.9% White/European American, 29.7% Asian/Asian American/Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 25.5% Hispanic/Latino American, and 21.7% Black/African American; M = 18.4 [0.4] years old) completed up to 14 consecutive daily diary surveys twice during their first year. Students in LDDRs had less positive affect and were lonelier when they were on campus than off campus and tended to engage in university activities on fewer days than other students. Daily affect and behavior did not differ depending on whether students dissolved or maintained their LDDR.

Making Sense and Moving On: The Potential for Individual and Interpersonal Growth Following Emerging Adult Breakups

This study assessed the key aspects of romantic relationship dissolution in emerging adulthood as predictors of future mental health and romantic qualities. It utilized a longitudinal, multiinformant, multimethod study of 160 participants with their romantic partners and close friends followed from ages 20-25, with a breakup assessed at age 22. Having control over initiating a breakup at age 22 predicted relative increases in peer-rated internalizing symptoms and autonomy-undermining interactions with a new partner at ages 23-25. Having a greater understanding of the reasons for a breakup predicted lower self-reported internalizing symptoms and relative decreases in partner-reported romantic conflict as well as relative increases in self-reported relationship satisfaction and peer-rated intimate relationship competence at ages 23-25. Predictions remained after accounting for numerous potential confounds including age 20-22 baseline relationship quality, social competence, internalizing symptoms, and gender. Implications for understanding links between breakup characteristics on emerging adult psychological and relationship functioning are discussed.

[Factors Influencing Adolescent Lifetime Smoking and Current Smoking in South Korea: Using data from the 10th (2014) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey]

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing lifetime smoking and current smoking among adolescents in South Korea.

METHODS

Hierarchical logistic regression was conducted based on complex sample analysis using statistics from the 10th (2014) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey. The study sample comprised 72,060 adolescents aged 12 to 18.

RESULTS

The significant factors influencing adolescent lifetime smoking were female gender, older age, higher stress, higher weekly allowance, lower economic status, living apart from parents, parental smoking, sibling smoking, peer smoking, observation of school personnel smoking, and coed school compared to boys' school. The significant factors influencing adolescent current smoking were female gender, older age, higher stress, higher weekly allowance, both higher and lower economic status compared to middle economic status, living apart from parents, parental smoking, sibling smoking, peer smoking, observation of school personnel smoking, and coed school compared to boys' school.

CONCLUSION

Factors identified in this study need to be considered in programs directed at prevention of adolescent smoking and smoking cessation programs, as well as policies.

Maternal social status, early health capital, and young adults' economic attainment: Early life course investigation

Using survey data collected from 12,278 adolescents and their mothers over 13 years in a nationally representative National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this study examined how maternal social status influenced young adults' economic attainment over the early life course. We found that weight at birth and height at adolescence as early health capital mediated the influence of maternal social status on young adults' economic attainment. Also, adolescents' educational attainment and psychological vulnerabilities mediated the relation between early health capital and young adults' economic attainment. These findings highlight the importance of early intervention to prevent the persistent influence of adverse maternal social status on youths' developmental outcomes.

Stress and behavioral risk among young expectant couples

Few studies have explored stress and coping among adolescents who are expecting a baby. In particular, young men's experiences during pregnancy have largely been ignored, despite the fact that a young man's experiences and behaviors carry implications for his own, his partner's and his child's health. This study examined the association between maternal and paternal experiences of stress during pregnancy with one's own and one's partner's health behaviors and depressive symptoms among 294 young expectant couples in the U.S. Multilevel modeling showed that one's own experiences of stress were associated with more unhealthy behaviors and more depressive symptoms among both expectant mothers and fathers. Paternal experiences of stress were predictive of more maternal conduct problems, while maternal experiences of stress were predictive of more paternal depressive symptoms and less paternal substance use. These findings highlight the importance of social relationships in affecting health behaviors and mental health among expectant adolescents.

Role transitions and substance use among Hispanic emerging adults: A longitudinal study using coarsened exact matching

INTRODUCTION

Emerging adulthood (ages 18 to 25) is characterized by changes in relationships, education, work, and viewpoints on life. The prevalence of substance use also peaks during this period. Among emerging adults, Hispanics have a unique substance use profile, and have been described as a priority population for substance use prevention. Cross-sectional studies among Hispanics have shown that specific role transitions (e.g., starting or ending romantic relationships) were associated with substance use. Negative affect from uncertainty/stress that accompanies role transitions in emerging adulthood may lead to substance use as a maladaptive coping mechanism. Longitudinal studies are needed to gain a more complete understanding of these associations.

METHODS

Participants completed surveys for Project RED, a longitudinal study of substance use among Hispanics in Southern California. This study used Coarsened Exact Matching to overcome the methodological limitations of previous studies. Participants were matched on pretreatment variables including age, gender, substance use behavior in high school, and depressive symptoms. Past-month cigarette use, binge drinking, marijuana use, and hard drug use were the outcomes of interest. After matching, each outcome was regressed on each individual role transition in year one of emerging adulthood with this process repeated in year two of emerging adulthood.

RESULTS

Role transitions in romance and work were positively associated with multiple categories of substance use.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevention programs should teach emerging adults ways to cope with the stress from role transitions. Individual role transitions may be used to screen for subgroups of emerging adults at high risk for substance use.

The Relationship Between the Accumulated Number of Role Transitions and Hard Drug Use among Hispanic Emerging Adults

Emerging adults (ages 18 to 25) who experience multiple role transitions in a short period of time may engage in hard drug use as a maladaptive coping strategy to avoid negative emotions from stress. Given the collectivistic values Hispanics encounter growing up, they may experience additional role transitions due to their group-oriented cultural paradigm. This study examined whether those who experience many role transitions are at greater risk for hard drug use compared to those who experience few transitions among Hispanic emerging adults. Participants completed surveys indicating their hard drug use in emerging adulthood, role transitions in the past year of emerging adulthood, age, gender, and hard drug use in high school. Simulation analyses indicated that an increase in the number of role transitions, from 0 to 13, was associated with a 14% (95% CI, 4 to 29) higher probability of hard drug use. Specific role transitions were found to be associated with hard drug use, such as starting to date or experiencing a breakup. Intervention/prevention programs may benefit from acknowledging individual reactions to transitions in emerging adulthood, as these processes may be catalysts for personal growth where identities are consolidated and decisions regarding hard drug use are formed.

With or Without You? Contextualizing the Impact of Romantic Relationship Breakup on Crime Among Serious Adolescent Offenders

The decline and delay of marriage has prolonged adolescence and the transition to adulthood, and consequently fostered greater romantic relationship fluidity during a stage of the life course that is pivotal for both development and offending. Yet, despite a growing literature of the consequences of romantic relationships breakup, little is known about its connection with crime, especially among youth enmeshed in the criminal justice system. This article addresses this gap by examining the effects of relationship breakup on crime among justice-involved youth-a key policy-relevant group. We refer to data from the Pathways to Desistance Study, a longitudinal study of 1354 (14% female) adjudicated youth from the juvenile and adult court systems in Phoenix and Philadelphia, to assess the nature and complexity of this association. In general, our results support prior evidence of breakup's criminogenic influence. Specifically, they suggest that relationship breakup's effect on crime is particularly acute among this at-risk sample, contingent upon post-breakup relationship transitions, and more pronounced for relationships that involve cohabitation. Our results also extend prior work by demonstrating that breakup is attenuated by changes in psychosocial characteristics and peer associations/exposure. We close with a discussion of our findings, their policy implications, and what they mean for research on relationships and crime among serious adolescent offenders moving forward.

The self-rating of the effects of alcohol questionnaire predicts heavy episodic drinking in a high-risk eating disorder population

OBJECTIVE

Heavy episodic drinking (HED) is a serious problem among college women at high-risk for developing eating disorders (EDs). The main objectives of this study are to determine the relationship of the self-rating of the effects of alcohol (SRE) questionnaire and HED over time, and to determine the effects of relationship breakups on HED among college-aged women at high-risk for EDs.

METHOD

Data collected from 163 participants in a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of an ED prevention program were used in the analyses. Measures included the SRE, obtained at baseline, and self-reports of the number of HED episodes and relationship breakups each month for the past 12 months.

RESULTS

Generalized linear mixed-effect regression models with Poisson distribution were conducted to test the effects of several variables on reported HED episodes over 12 months. Analyses demonstrated that SRE scores and the presence of a breakup predicted increased HED over time.

DISCUSSION

The SRE may be useful in identifying individuals at risk of or with EDs who are at increased risk of HED. Furthermore, relationship breakups predict HED. Findings from the current study could be used to inform clinical interventions for this population.

Romantic relationship status and alcohol use and problems across the first year of college

OBJECTIVE

We examined the associations between romantic relationship status and alcohol use and problems in a large sample of first-year college students.

METHOD

Participants (n = 2,056) came from a longitudinal study of college students who answered questions about relationship status (single, in an exclusive relationship, or dating several people), alcohol use, and alcohol problems at two time points across their first year.

RESULTS

After we controlled for a number of covariates (parental alcohol problems, high school conduct problems, peer deviance, and extraversion), we found that dating several people was associated with higher alcohol use and problems, compared with being single or being in an exclusive relationship, at the follow-up assessment only, with modest effect sizes. Being in an exclusive relationship was not associated with lower alcohol use or problems compared with being single. Relationship dissolution was associated with a modest longitudinal increase in alcohol problems.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to consider alternative relationship statuses (e.g., dating several people) for understanding the association of romantic status with alcohol use and problems in college-aged samples. Involvement in an exclusive romantic relationship (vs. being single) in this age group is not associated with the behavioral health benefits documented in older-adult samples. College students dating several people may be at risk for high levels of alcohol use or problems and may benefit from targeted interventions. Those who have recently experienced a breakup also may be at risk for increases in alcohol problems, although the clinical relevance of this finding should be tempered by the small observed effect size.

Young adult drinking partnerships: alcohol-related consequences and relationship problems six years later

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the association between young adult drinking partnerships (ages 18-26 years) and later alcohol-related problems and consequences, alcohol use, relationship quality, and relationship dissolution in adult relationships (ages 26-35).

METHOD

Data came from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health; Waves III and IV) with 1,347 young adults and their partners at Wave III, including dating, cohabiting, and married couples, and individual adult behaviors at Wave IV, 6 years later. Drinking partnerships were based on alcohol use frequency, quantity, heavy episodic drinking, and getting drunk.

RESULTS

Four clusters included (a) congruent light and infrequent, (b) discrepant male heavy and frequent, (c) discrepant female heavy and frequent, and (d) congruent heavy and frequent drinkers. Young adult discrepant partnerships reported more alcohol-related problems and consequences 6 years later. Young adults in the congruent heavy drinking partnership indicated more separation/divorce and alcohol use as adults. Young adult married men who drank discrepantly and higher compared to their wives reported higher rates of adult drinking and problems than other men. There were a number of negative effects from congruent heavy drinking, especially for women.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrated that there are multiple types of young adult drinking partnerships based on couples' alcohol use behaviors. Men may be at risk for serious alcohol-related problems later in adulthood, especially when paired with discrepant drinking partners and congruent heavy drinking partners. Women are at risk when in congruent, heavy and frequent drinking partnerships. Studying romantic relationships and drinking has implications for broad aspects of young adult and adult development.

A matter of timing: developmental theories of romantic involvement and psychosocial adjustment

The present study compared two theories of the association between romantic involvement and adjustment: a social timetable theory and a developmental task theory. We examined seven waves of longitudinal data on a community based sample of 200 participants (Wave 1 mean age = 15 years, 10 months). In each wave, multiple measures of substance use, externalizing symptoms, and internalizing symptoms were gathered, typically from multiple reporters. Multilevel modeling revealed that greater levels of romantic involvement in adolescence were associated with higher levels of substance use and externalizing symptoms but became associated with lower levels in adulthood. Having a romantic partner was associated with greater levels of substance use, externalizing symptoms, and internalizing symptoms in adolescence but was associated with lower levels in young adulthood. The findings were not consistent with a social timetable theory, which predicts that nonnormative involvement is associated with poor adjustment. Instead, the findings are consistent with a developmental task theory, which predicts that precocious romantic involvement undermines development and adaptation, but when romantic involvement becomes a salient developmental task in adulthood, it is associated with positive adjustment. Discussion focuses on the processes that may underlie the changing nature of the association between romantic involvement and adjustment.

Emerging adulthood themes, role transitions and substance use among Hispanics in Southern California

INTRODUCTION

Hispanic emerging adults appear to be at especially high risk for substance use but little is known about their risk and protective factors. A crucial next step to reducing substance use among this priority population may involve understanding how transition-to-adulthood themes are associated with substance use. Intervention and prevention programs could also benefit from information about which if any specific transitions undergone in emerging adulthood are associated with substance use.

METHODS

Hispanic emerging adults (aged 18 to 24) completed surveys indicating their identification with transition-to-adulthood themes, role transitions in the past year, and use of alcohol and marijuana. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between transition-to-adulthood themes and past-month binge drinking and marijuana use, controlling for age and gender. Separate logistic regression models explored the association between each individual role transition and past-month binge drinking and marijuana use, controlling for age and gender and using a Bonferonni correction.

RESULTS

Among the participants (n=1,390), 41% were male, the average age was 21, 24% reported past-month marijuana use and 34% reported past-month binge drinking. Participants who felt emerging adulthood was a time of focusing on others were less likely to report marijuana use and binge drinking. Among the 24 transitions, five were significantly associated with past-month marijuana use and 10 were significantly associated with past-month binge drinking.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest transition-to-adulthood themes as well as specific changes experienced by emerging adults are meaningful for Hispanics and should be explored in prevention and intervention programs in the future. Future research should determine what specific mechanisms are making these transitional processes risk factors for substance use.

Cigarette smoking, illicit drug use, and routes of administration among heroin and cocaine users

Cigarette smoking is ubiquitous among illicit drug users. Some have speculated that this may be partially due to similarities in the route of administration. However, research examining the relationship between cigarette smoking and routes of administration of illicit drugs is limited. To address this gap, we investigated sociodemographic and drug use factors associated with cigarette smoking among cocaine and heroin users in the Baltimore, Maryland community (N=576). Regular and heavy cigarette smokers were more likely to be White, have a history of a prior marriage, and have a lower education level. Regular smoking of marijuana and crack was associated with cigarette smoking, but not heavy cigarette smoking. Injection use was more common among heavy cigarette smokers. In particular, regular cigarette smokers were more likely to have a lifetime history of regularly injecting heroin. Optimal prevention and treatment outcomes can only occur through a comprehensive understanding of the interrelations between different substances of abuse.

Romantic relationship characteristics and alcohol use: longitudinal associations with dual method contraception use

PURPOSE

Dual method contraception use, or the use of one type of contraceptive intended to prevent pregnancy combined with another type intended to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infection, may be the most effective method to prevent both unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection. This study tested the association between relationship length, relationship type (married, cohabiting, dating but not cohabiting), global alcohol use, and situational alcohol use and the probability of dual method contraception use from 20 to 23 years of age.

METHODS

Hierarchical linear modeling analyses were conducted using longitudinal data from 754 sexually active male and female young adults aged 20-23 years. Dependent variables included both any dual method contraception use and consistent dual method contraception use.

RESULTS

Between 15% and 20% of respondents reported consistent dual method contraception use at each time point. Longer relationship length and more committed relationship type were associated with a lower probability of both any and consistent dual method contraception use. Situational alcohol use (drinking before sex), but not global alcohol use, also was related to a lower probability of both any and consistent dual method contraception use. Increasing age was associated with a lower probability of any dual method contraception use, but was not related to consistent dual method use.

CONCLUSIONS

Efforts to promote dual method contraception among young adults should include messages discouraging drinking before sex and supporting dual method use even in the context of committed relationships.