Dating relationships in college students with childhood-onset asthma

The Moderating Role of Health Status on the Association Between Depressive Symptoms and Cannabis Vaping

Objective

Cannabis vaping is increasing among college students. There is little information on risk factors for vaping cannabis. Consistent with the self-medication hypothesis, experiencing depressive symptoms and having a chronic medical condition (CMC) are associated with cannabis use among young adults. Individuals who experience both risk factors may be at higher risk for cannabis vaping. This study examined cross-sectional associations between depressive symptoms, CMC status, and cannabis vaping, and identified the moderating role of CMC status on depressive symptoms and cannabis vaping.

Method

College students (N = 3,742) self-reported on depressive symptoms, CMC status, and lifetime and current cannabis vaping (i.e., cannabis vaporizers; electronic nicotine devices to use cannabis). Data were collected Fall 2017 until Spring 2021. The sample was predominantly female (70.9%) and White (75.4%). Regression analyses were used.

Results

Greater depressive symptoms were related to increased likelihood of cannabis vaping across outcomes. Having a CMC was related to lifetime history of cannabis vaporizing. CMC status moderated the associations between depressive symptoms and lifetime cannabis vaporizing. Depressive symptoms were only a risk factor for cannabis vaporizing among college students without a CMC, not those with a CMC.

Conclusions

Interventions that teach adaptive ways of coping with depressive symptoms and the potential demands of managing a CMC in college are needed. Comprehensive programs for college students, with and without CMCs, are needed to support those with comorbid depression and cannabis vaping use.

Health Care Utilization, Transition Readiness, and Quality of Life: A Latent Class Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To identify possible subgroups of health care utilization (HCU) patterns among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with a chronic medical condition (CMC), and examine how these patterns relate to transition readiness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

METHODS

Undergraduates (N = 359; Mage=19.51 years, SD = 1.31) with a self-reported CMC (e.g., asthma, allergies, irritable bowel syndrome) completed measures of demographics, HCU (e.g., presence of specialty or adult providers, recent medical visits), transition readiness, and mental HRQoL (MHC) and physical HRQoL (PHC). Latent class analysis identified four distinct patterns of HCU. The BCH procedure evaluated how these patterns related to transition readiness and HRQoL outcomes.

RESULTS

Based on seven indicators of HCU, a four-class model was found to have optimal fit. Classes were termed High Utilization (n = 95), Adult Primary Care Physician (PCP)-Moderate Utilization (n = 107), Family PCP-Moderate Utilization (n = 81), and Low Utilization (n = 76). Age, family income, and illness controllability predicted class membership. Class membership predicted transition readiness and PHC, but not MHC. The High Utilization group reported the highest transition readiness and the lowest HRQoL, while the Low Utilization group reported the lowest transition readiness and highest HRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study characterizes the varying degrees to which AYAs with CMCs utilize health care. Our findings suggest poorer PHC may result in higher HCU, and that greater skills and health care engagement may not be sufficient for optimizing HRQoL. Future research should examine the High Utilization subgroup and their risk for poorer HRQoL.

The Role of Grit in Health Care Management Skills and Health-related Quality of Life in College Students with Chronic Medical Conditions

PURPOSE

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic medical conditions are at risk for reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Recent research on AYAs without chronic medical conditions found that greater health care management skills were related to higher HRQoL. In addition, grit, an intrapersonal strength, has been linked to greater health care management skills and HRQoL. The current study extended these findings to AYAs with a chronic medical condition.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Three hundred and seventy-five undergraduates with a chronic medical condition completed questionnaires, including the short Grit Scale, Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire, and RAND 36-Item Short Form Survey.

RESULTS

Path analysis revealed a significant direct effect of grit on health care management skills and on both mental and physical HRQoL. Further, health care management skills had a significant indirect effect on the grit → mental HRQoL association, but not on the grit → physical HRQoL association.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher levels of grit were linked to better health care management skills and better mental and physical HRQoL. Further, grit and mental HRQoL were indirectly linked through health care management skills, suggesting the utility of these skills in improving mental HRQoL.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Given the observed benefits of higher grit and health care management skills on emotional HRQoL, and the potential impact of health care management skills on future physical HRQoL, interventions targeting the enhancement of grit and health care management skills may be beneficial in improving the efficacy of transition readiness interventions.

Research Review: Childhood chronic physical illness and adult emotional health - a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Childhood chronic physical illness is associated with a greater vulnerability for emotional problems (i.e. depression and anxiety) in childhood. However, little is known about life-long effects of childhood chronic physical illness on mental health. The present study aims to systematically review evidence for associations between eight chronic physical illnesses with childhood onset (arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic renal failure, congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis, type 1 diabetes, and epilepsy) and adult emotional problems.

METHODS

A database search of MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, and ScienceDirect was undertaken, and random effects meta-analyses were used to synthesise evidence from eligible studies.

RESULTS

In total, 37 studies were eligible for the systematic review (n = 45,733) and of these, 34 studies were included in the meta-analyses (n = 45,358). There were overall associations between childhood chronic physical illness and adult depression (OR = 1.31; 95% CI [1.12, 1.54]) and anxiety (OR = 1.47; 95% CI [1.13, 1.92]). Separate meta-analyses for childhood asthma, type 1 diabetes and cancer were also conducted, with cancer being significantly associated with adult depression (OR = 1.19; 95% CI [1.00, 1.42]).

CONCLUSIONS

The effects of childhood chronic physical illness on the risk of emotional problems persist beyond childhood and adolescence. Mental health prevention and intervention strategies targeting children with chronic physical illnesses can have long-term benefits.

Illness uncertainty and illness intrusiveness as predictors of depressive and anxious symptomology in college students with chronic illnesses

OBJECTIVE

To examine predictors of psychological functioning in college students with chronic illnesses.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants (N = 1413) included 364 students with self-reported diagnoses of asthma or allergies, 148 students with other chronic illnesses (eg, epilepsy, type 1 diabetes), and 901 healthy students. Data were collected between November 2013 and May 2015.

METHODS

Participants completed online measures of psychosocial functioning, including illness uncertainty, illness intrusiveness, depression, and anxiety.

RESULTS

Students with chronic illnesses other than asthma or allergies evidenced the greatest levels of anxious (p <. 05), but not depressive symptomology. Additionally, this group reported greater illness uncertainty and intrusiveness (p <. 05) compared to their peers. Uncertainty and intrusiveness independently predicted depressive and anxious symptoms for students in both illness groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to peers with asthma or allergies, college students with other chronic illnesses reported higher levels of anxious symptoms. Illness uncertainty and intrusiveness appear to be predictors of psychological distress, regardless of illness.

Asthma-specific cognitions, self-focused attention, and fear of negative evaluation in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with childhood-onset asthma

The present study examined the impact of asthma-specific thought intrusion (TI) and thought suppression (TS) on two cognitive-affective variables (self-focused attention and fear of negative evaluation) among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with childhood-onset asthma. Participants were 290 AYAs who completed assessment questionnaires and participated in a written exercise electronically. Asthma-TI and TS were reported by participants following participation in a writing assignment. Asthma-TI was associated with increased private, public, and social anxiety self-focused attention, and greater fear of negative evaluation. Interestingly, asthma-TS was not associated with these same outcome variables. Findings suggest illness-specific cognitions are associated with cognitive-affective variables and it may be important to assess for illness-specific intrusive thoughts following asthma-focused medical appointments. Additionally, findings suggest the importance of assessing asthma-TI and TS separately in order to better understand thoughts about health and psychological functioning.

The Mediating Role of Romantic Desolation and Dating Anxiety in the Association Between Interpersonal Competence and Life Satisfaction Among Polish Young Adults

This study investigates the role of romantic desolation on life satisfaction in young adulthood. Using data from a Polish sample of 330 (205 females and 125 males) young adults aged 20–30, who completed Polish versions of the Satisfaction With Life Scale, Dating Anxiety Scale, Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire-Revised, and Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults-Short Form, romantic desolation (romantic loneliness and lack of a romantic partner) and dating anxiety were tested as mediators of the association between interpersonal competence and life satisfaction. Results revealed that single individuals reported lower life satisfaction and higher romantic loneliness than did partnered individuals. At the same time, no differences emerged between single and partnered individuals in dating anxiety or interpersonal competence. Structural equation modeling results showed that low interpersonal competence has an indirect effect on romantic desolation through higher levels of dating anxiety. Also, dating anxiety had an indirect effect on lower life satisfaction through increased romantic desolation. These results highlight the important role of dating anxiety and romantic desolation for explaining why low interpersonal competence is associated with diminished life satisfaction in young adults.

Self-esteem, Self-focused Attention, and the Mediating Role of Fear of Negative Evaluation in College Students With and Without Asthma

OBJECTIVE

The current study investigated the mediating role of fear of negative evaluation on the relationship between self-focused attention and self-esteem among college students with and without asthma.

PARTICIPANTS

Young adults with (n = 148) and without (n = 530) childhood-onset asthma were recruited from a college student population.

METHODS

Self-focused attention and fear of negative evaluation measures were completed. Participants also answered questions about inclusion in a social activity.

RESULTS

Higher levels of self-focused attention and fear of negative evaluation were associated with lower self-esteem in both groups within the context of social activity participation. Fear of negative evaluation mediated the relationship between self-consciousness and self-esteem. No significant differences were found between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate significant relationships among self-focused attention, fear of negative evaluation, and self-esteem in the context of social activity participation. Further examination of self-esteem regarding participation in social activities among college students appears warranted.

Friendship and romantic relationships among emerging adults with and without type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether friendship and romantic relationships of emerging adults with type 1 diabetes differed from those of a comparison group, and to determine whether these relationships were associated with psychological and diabetes health outcomes.

METHODS

High school seniors with (n = 122) and without (n = 118) type 1 diabetes were assessed annually for 3 years. Friend and romantic relationship variables, psychological distress, life satisfaction, eating disturbances, and, for those with diabetes, diabetes outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

Those with diabetes reported less friend support but similar friend conflict compared with controls. Aspects of romantic relationships and friend relationships were associated with health outcomes, but there were more effects involving romantic relationships. On some indices, romantic support was more beneficial for controls and romantic conflict was more troublesome for those with diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Both friendship and romantic relationships were associated with psychological and diabetes outcomes among emerging adults.

Dating Anxiety in Adolescents and Young Adults With Food Allergies

The present study sought to examine dating anxiety and problems in social relationships and health-related quality of life in adolescents and young adults with food allergies compared with their healthy peers. It was hypothesized that individuals with food allergies would experience greater dating anxiety and poorer social functioning and physical and mental health–related quality of life than their healthy peers. Participants with food allergies were age, gender, and ethnicity matched to young adults without a history of allergies or any other chronic illness for analyses. The majority of adolescents and young adults with food allergies reported that their allergies interfere with physical intimacy with their current partner. Results further revealed that adolescents and young adults with food allergies reported greater dating anxiety and fear of negative evaluation than healthy peers. No differences were observed between the groups on physical or mental health–related quality of life or social functioning. For both groups, dating anxiety was a significant predictor of mental quality of life and social functioning.