Emerging Adulthood, a Pre-adult Life-History Stage

Hippocampus, amygdala, and insula activation in response to romantic relationship dissolution stimuli: A case-case-control fMRI study on emerging adult students

BACKGROUND

Romantic relationship dissolutions (RRDs) are associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Functional magnetic resonance imaging in RRD studies indicate overlapping neural activation similar to posttraumatic stress disorder. These studies combine real and hypothetical rejection, and lack contextual information and control and/or comparison groups exposed to non-RRD or DSM-5 defined traumatic events.

AIM

We investigated blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) activation in the hippocampus, amygdala, and insula of participants with RRDs compared with other traumatic or non-trauma stressors.

METHODS

Emerging adults (mean age = 21.54 years; female = 74.7 %) who experienced an RRD (n = 36), DSM-5 defined trauma (physical and/or sexual assault: n = 15), or a non-RRD or DSM-5 stressor (n = 28) completed PTSS, depression, childhood trauma, lifetime trauma exposure, and attachment measures. We used a general and customised version of the International Affective Picture System to investigate responses to index-trauma-related stimuli. We used mixed linear models to assess between-group differences, and ANOVAs and Spearman's correlations to analyse factors associated with BOLD activation.

RESULTS

BOLD activity increased between index-trauma stimuli as compared to neutral stimuli in the hippocampus and amygdala, with no significant difference between the DSM-5 Trauma and RRD groups. Childhood adversity, sexual orientation, and attachment style were associated with BOLD activation changes. Breakup characteristics (e.g., initiator status) were associated with increased BOLD activation in the hippocampus and amygdala, in the RRD group.

CONCLUSION

RRDs should be considered as potentially traumatic events. Breakup characteristics are risk factors for experiencing RRDs as traumatic.

LIMITATION

Future studies should consider more diverse representation across sex, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.

Perceptions of Adulthood and Mental Health

BACKGROUND

In contrast to conventional definitions, the contemporary conceptualization of adulthood emphasizes psychological characteristics over sociodemographic milestones. At the same time, an increasing number of theorists propose that the way individuals view adulthood may have a significant impact on the mental health of both adolescents and adults. However, empirical examination of this hypothesis has been notably limited to date. The aim of this study is to explore the association between individuals' perceptions of adulthood and multiple dimensions of mental health.

METHOD

This study applied some adulthood markers and multiple mental health indexes (including well-being, optimism, Alexithymia, satisfaction with life, Goldberg's index of mental health, the dark triad, and dimensional personality disorders) to a community sample comprising 1772 individuals in Spain, spanning ages from 16 to 93 years.

RESULTS

The findings support the overarching hypothesis, as perceptions of adulthood display strong correlations with nearly every assessed index of mental health, particularly those that comprise a dimension of negative emotions. These associations persist even after accounting for age and socio-economic status, and in alignment with the psychological paradigm of adulthood, they show a notable consistency across various age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study establishes that such perceptions of adulthood represent a modifiable factor contributing to positive mental health. The implications of these findings for the formulation of public policies aimed at promoting mental health in the context of adulthood, as well as a number of future studies, are deliberated.

Combined effect of compassionate and uncompassionate self-responding on Chinese college students' mental health during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a response surface analysis

Background: The initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly deteriorated mental health, especially among college students. Self-compassion has demonstrated benefits for psychological outcomes such as depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and posttraumatic growth (PTG). Notably, existing literature suggests that the protective and vulnerable aspects within the Self-Compassion Scale, namely, compassionate and uncompassionate self-responding (CSR and USR), can coexist within individuals and influence their mental health through various coexisting patterns. However, this process has not been sufficiently explored.Objective: This study aimed to explore the combined effects of CSR and USR on college students' depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, PTSS, and PTG during the initial wave of the pandemic.Method: In this cross-sectional study, 4450 Chinese college students (51.9% females, Mage = 20.58 years, SD = 1.49) completed self-report measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic's initial wave in 2020. Response surface analyses were utilised to investigate the combined effects of CSR and USR.Results: Simultaneously increased CSR and USR were associated with a slight increase in depressive symptoms, PTSS, and life satisfaction, but a substantial increase in PTG. Conversely, increased CSR and decreased USR were associated with a considerable decrease in depressive symptoms and PTSS, a significant increase in life satisfaction, and a moderate increase in PTG.Conclusions: CSR and USR demonstrated protective and vulnerable impacts, respectively. It is imperative to analyse their combined effects as an interactive system and consider the specific characteristics of different psychological responses.

Effects of non-specific low back pain on static balance in emerging adults

BACKGROUND

Postural control impairments in middle-aged or older people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) have been extensively documented. However, little is known about changes in postural control early in the disease process which may underlie compensatory movement strategies.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to quantify postural sway and sensory weighting in emerging adults with and without CLBP.

METHODS

Nineteen emerging adults with CLBP (age = 18-26 years (21.11 ± 1.73)) and 19 matched peers without CLBP (18-27 years (22.20 ± 1.97)) participated in a cross-sectional study. Displacement of the center of mass during Quiet stance (QS), Tandem stance (TS), and Unilateral stance (US) on 2 surfaces (stable, unstable) were used to assess postural sway. Sensory Organization Test (SOT) was used to assess sensory weighting.

RESULTS

Emerging adults with CLBP showed large, significant increases in postural sway during unstable TS (p ≤ .020). Participants with CLBP relied more on somatosensory input, as evidenced by lower equilibrium scores during conditions favoring visual (p = .020) or vestibular (p < .001) input during the SOT.

CONCLUSION

Emerging adults with CLBP showed postural control impairments related to altered sensory weighting. These findings provide insights into the development of CLBP and its effects on postural control. This information may aid early identification, monitoring, and treatment of individuals in the initial stages of disease development who may have unrecognized postural impairments.

Aperiodic and Hurst EEG exponents across early human brain development: A systematic review

In electroencephalographic (EEG) data, power-frequency slope exponents (1/f_β) can provide non-invasive markers of in vivo neural activity excitation-inhibition (E:I) balance. E:I balance may be altered in neurodevelopmental conditions; hence, understanding how 1/fβ evolves across infancy/childhood has implications for developing early assessments/interventions. This systematic review (PROSPERO-ID: CRD42023363294) explored the early maturation (0-26 yrs) of resting-state EEG 1/f measures (aperiodic [AE], power law [PLE] and Hurst [HE] exponents), including studies containing ≥1 1/f measures and ≥10 typically developing participants. Five databases (including Embase and Scopus) were searched during March 2023. Forty-two studies were identified (Nparticipants=3478). Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies tool. Narrative synthesis of HE data suggests non-stationary EEG activity occurs throughout development. Age-related trends were complex, with rapid decreases in AEs during infancy and heterogenous changes thereafter. Regionally, AE maxima shifted developmentally, potentially reflecting spatial trends in maturing brain connectivity. This work highlights the importance of further characterising the development of 1/f measures to better understand how E:I balance shapes brain and cognitive development.

Peer cybervictimization and cyberaggression as a function of developmental stage during adolescence: A preliminary study

Peer cybervictimization and cyberaggression are educational and social concerns which have been extensively studied during adolescence but there is less research conducted specifically across all stages of adolescence (early, middle, late, and emerging adulthood). The objective was to analyse the prevalence of cybervictimization and cyberaggression, the roles, and the associated behaviors, depending on the stages of adolescence. The sample was composed of 7295 non-university Spanish adolescents, between 11 and 22 years old from 47 schools. The frequency of cybervictimization and cyberaggression was 22.5 % and 15 %, respectively. The highest frequencies are found in late adolescence and the lowest in emerging adulthood. Mainly, involvement increases from early to late adolescence and decreases in emerging adulthood. The magnitude of cybervictimization and cyberaggression behaviors for the roles of pure cybervictim and pure cyberaggressor is similar through all stages.

Young adults' expectations for healthcare following institutional betrayal

Healthcare-related institutional betrayal has been used to examine how patients' previous negative healthcare experiences influence their current provider-level trust and future interactions with the healthcare system. However, healthcare-related institutional betrayal has rarely been considered among emerging independent users of the healthcare system: college students. Moreover, it is unknown whether healthcare-related institutional betrayal is associated with future healthcare expectations among this population. Using a trauma-informed framework, this study examined the relations among self-reported experiences of healthcare-related institutional betrayal, trust in healthcare providers, and subsequent expectations for healthcare among college students (n = 967). Analyses considered whether greater past healthcare-related institutional betrayal during one's worst healthcare experience predicts i) lower current trust in healthcare providers and ii) greater negative expectations for future healthcare above and beyond trauma symptoms and the perceived severity of participants' worst healthcare experiences. Sixty-nine percent of participants endorsed having experienced at least one act of institutional betrayal, the most common being the institution not taking proactive steps to prevent unpleasant healthcare experiences (28.5%). As predicted theoretically, greater experiences of institutional betrayal accounted for 16% of the variance in current trust in healthcare providers, even after accounting for trauma symptoms and the severity of the worst healthcare experience. Greater endorsement of institutional betrayal experiences were also significantly associated with negative expectations for future healthcare. Given the youthfulness of the sample, it is noteworthy that 41.4% of participants endorsed at least one negative expectation for future healthcare. Future research should examine how negative expectations are related to healthcare avoidance behaviors.

Using a Rapid Learning Health System for Stratified Care in Emerging Adult Mental Health Services: Protocol for the Implementation of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures

BACKGROUND

Mental illness among emerging adults is often difficult to ameliorate due to fluctuating symptoms and heterogeneity. Recently, innovative approaches have been developed to improve mental health care for emerging adults, including (1) implementing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to assess illness severity and inform stratified care to assign emerging adults to a treatment modality commensurate with their level of impairment and (2) implementing a rapid learning health system in which data are continuously collected and analyzed to generate new insights, which are then translated to clinical practice, including collaboration among clients, health care providers, and researchers to co-design and coevaluate assessment and treatment strategies.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a rapid learning health system to enable a measurement-based, stratified care treatment strategy for emerging adults.

METHODS

This study takes place at a specialty clinic serving emerging adults (age 16-24 years) in Calgary, Canada, and involves extensive collaboration among researchers, providers, and youth. The study design includes six phases: (1) developing a transdiagnostic platform for PROMs, (2) designing an initial stratified care model, (3) combining the implementation of PROMs with stratified care, (4) evaluating outcomes and disseminating results, (5) modification of stratified care based on data derived from PROMs, and (6) spread and scale to new sites. Qualitative and quantitative feedback will be collected from health care providers and youth throughout the implementation process. These data will be analyzed at regular intervals and used to modify the way future services are delivered. The RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework is used to organize and evaluate implementation according to 3 key objectives: improving treatment selection, reducing average wait time and treatment duration, and increasing the value of services.

RESULTS

This project was funded through a program grant running from 2021 to 2026. Ethics approval for this study was received in February 2023. Presently, we have developed a system of PROMs and organized clinical services into strata of care. We will soon begin using PROMs to assign clients to a stratum of care and using feedback from youth and clinicians to understand how to improve experiences and outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has key implications for researchers and clinicians looking to understand how to customize emerging adult mental health services to improve the quality of care and satisfaction with care. This study has significant implications for mental health care systems as part of a movement toward value-based health care.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/51667.

Self-harm and suicidality among trans and gender diverse youth from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds-A scoping review

Rates of suicidality and self-harm are substantial among trans and gender diverse people, particularly among younger groups. The objective of this scoping review is to explore the state of the research conducted on determinants of mental distress, self-harm and suicidality among trans and gender diverse (TGD) youth from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews was used as a methodology guide. Inclusion criteria for study selection comprehended: publications on the intersectionality between gender non-conformity and cultural and linguistic diversity; focus on a young population (≤25 years of age); publications addressing self-harm and/or suicidality. Searches were conducted on eight databases and a public web search engine and yielded 474 results. Publications were screened and selected by two independent reviewers. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes overarching the findings. The screening process yielded seven peer-reviewed studies and six research reports based on case studies, retrospective qualitative interviews, cross-sectional and longitudinal survey analyses. The key themes approached in the retrieved literature include: (1) precipitating factors for suicidality; (2) pathways contributing to self-harm and suicidality; and 3) barriers and facilitators for accessing services and mental health care. Practical actions to help mitigate suicidality among TGD youth from CALD backgrounds need to consider the impact of trauma and allow for the development of trust in the therapeutic relationship. Shifts in service delivery and policy formulation are necessary to reduce stigmatisation and potentialise the inclusion of different racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual and gender identity expressions in society.

Development of ELIP to Assess Physical Literacy for Emerging Adults: A Methodological and Epistemological Challenge

Purpose: Following increased interest in physical literacy (PL), development of appropriate tools for assessment has become an important next step for its operationalization. To forward the development of such tools, the objective of this study was to build the foundations of the Évaluation de la Littératie Physique (ELIP), designed to help reduce existing tensions in approaches to PL assessment that may be resulting in a low uptake into applied settings. Methods: We followed two steps: (1) the development of the first version of ELIP by deploying a Delphi method (n = 30); and (2) the modification of items through cognitive interviews with emerging adults (n = 32). Results: The expert consensus highlighted four dimensions of PL to be assessed-physical; affective; cognitive; and social-with new perspectives, including a preference for broad motor tests over fitness. Conclusion: Results offer new insights into the assessment of emerging adults' PL, but ELIP still requires further work concerning validity, reliability, and sensitivity.

Associations of Lifestyle Patterns With Overweight and Depressive Symptoms Among United States Emerging Adults With Different Employment Statuses

Objective: To identify lifestyle patterns in emerging adults and examine the association of lifestyle patterns with overweight and depression. Methods: Data was from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2011 and 2018. A latent class analysis (LCA) was conducted with 2,268 US emerging adults based on sedentary behavior, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, diet, sleep, alcohol drinking, and cigarette smoking. The associations of lifestyle groups with overweight and depression were examined by logistic regression and were further stratified by employment status. Results: The LCA results favored a four-class solution: "unhealthy but non-substance use" (59%), "healthy but sleepless and drinking" (12%), "unhealthy lifestyle" (15%), and "healthy but sedentary" group (14%). Compared to the "unhealthy lifestyle" group, participants in the "unhealthy but non-substance use" (coef. = -1.44, SE = 0.27; OR = 0.40, 95% CI [0.26, 0.61]), "healthy but sleepless and drinking" (coef. = -1.49, SE = 0.35; OR = 0.38, 95% CI [0.20, 0.72]), and "healthy but sedentary" (coef. = -1.97, SE = 0.34; OR = 0.29, 95% CI [0.14, 0.57]) groups had lower depression severity and reported fewer depressive symptoms. Moreover, lifestyle groups and health outcomes showed different relationships among employed and unemployed participants. Conclusion: This study found that the combinations of lifestyle behaviors had synergistic effects on mental health, and such effects differed by employment status.

Adolescent sedentary behavior and body composition in early adulthood: results from a cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study investigates the cross-sectional and prospective associations between accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior and body composition from adolescence to early adulthood.

METHODS

Data from the Santiago Longitudinal Study were analyzed (n = 212). Sedentary time was measured at age 16 years, and body composition (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio [WHtR], fat mass percentage, and lean mass percentage) was examined at both age 16 and 23 years. Adjusted linear regression models estimated associations between sedentary time, sedentary bout duration, and body composition, overall and by sex.

RESULTS

In all analyses, mean sedentary bout duration was not associated with body composition. In cross-sectional analyses, more sedentary time during adolescence was significantly associated with lower BMI, waist circumference, WHtR, fat mass percentage, and higher lean mass percentage (p < 0.05). One standard deviation increase in daily sedentary time was prospectively associated with lower body mass index (β = -1.22 kg/m2, 95% CI: -2.02, -0.42), waist circumference (β = -2.39 cm, 95% CI: -4.03, -0.75), and WHtR (β = -0.014, 95% CI: -0.024, -0.004). Sedentary time at 16 years was not associated with changes in body composition from 16 to 23 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Sedentary behavior in adolescence is not adversely associated with body composition profiles in early adulthood.

IMPACT

Little is known about the effect of device-measured sedentary behavior on body composition during the transition from adolescence to early adulthood. Among participants in the Santiago Longitudinal Study, more accelerometer-measured sedentary time during adolescence was associated with lower BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio in early adulthood though point estimates were generally small in magnitude. Sedentary behavior in adolescence was not detrimentally associated with healthy body composition profiles in early adulthood. Public health interventions aimed at reducing obesity rates could consider other behaviors, such as physical activity and healthy diet, instead of sitting time.

Low mindfulness is related to poor sleep quality from middle adolescents to emerging adults: a process model involving resilience and emotional dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

Transitions from middle adolescence into merging adulthood, a life stage between age 15-25, has a high prevalence of sleep problems. Mindfulness is a trait defined as being attentive to the present moment which positively relates to sleep quality. In this study, we aimed to investigate how resilience and emotional dysfunction may influence the relationship between trait mindfulness and sleep quality.

METHODS

The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales were used to measure the key variables through an online survey of 497 participants between middle adolescence and emerging adults (317 females, mean age 18.27 ± 0.76 years). A process model was built to investigate the mediating roles of resilience and emotional dysfunction in the impact of trait mindfulness on sleep quality, together with the relationships between their specific components.

RESULTS

We found a positive association between mindfulness and sleep quality through resilience and through emotional dysfunction, and through the sequential pathway from resilience to emotional dysfunction. Of note, acting with awareness (mindfulness facet) showed significant indirect effects on sleep quality, mediated by resilience and emotional dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings may unveil the underlying mechanisms of how low mindfulness induces poor sleep quality. The findings indicate that conceiving mindfulness as a multifaceted construct facilitates comprehension of its components, relationships with other variables, and underscores its potential clinical significance given its critical implications for mental health.

Eating Disorders and Addictive Behaviors: Implications for Human Health

Eating disorders (EDs) are mental health diseases characterized by dysfunctional eating patterns, including restrictive eating, avoidance of foods, binge eating, and compensative behaviors to avoid weight increases and promote thinness (purging, vomiting, laxative/diuretics misuse, and compulsive exercise) [...].

Comparing the reasons for contraceptive discontinuation between parenting adolescents and young women in sub-Saharan Africa: a multilevel analysis

BACKGROUND

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health remains a major public health and development issue of global importance. Given that adolescents and young people are heterogenous groups in terms of many characteristics, this study expands the literature by comparing the reasons for contraceptive discontinuation between parenting adolescents (aged 15-19) and parenting young women (aged 20-24) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

METHODS

Data for the study came from Demographic and Health Surveys of 22 SSA countries. The outcome variable was reasons for discontinuation. We performed multilevel binary logistic regression on analytic samples comprising 1485 parenting adolescents and 10,287 parenting young women across the selected SSA countries.

RESULTS

Findings show that the proportion of respondents who used modern contraceptives was lower among parenting adolescents (35%) relative to their 20-24-year-old counterparts (43%). Higher percentages of parenting adolescents than young women discontinued contraceptives because of reasons such as pregnancy or method failure (i.e., 9.9% and 8.17% accordingly), husband disapproval, access or availability issues, wanting more effective methods, and inconvenience in using methods. The multilevel analysis further highlighted disparities between parenting adolescents and parenting young women who discontinued contraceptives. For instance, parenting young women had 30% lower odds of discontinuing contraceptives due to pregnancy or method failure than parenting adolescents.

CONCLUSION

The study established disparities in the reasons for contraceptive discontinuation between parenting adolescents and parenting young women, with adolescents demonstrating greater vulnerabilities and higher risks. Considerable attention must be given to parenting adolescents in the efforts to achieve equity goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals and universal health coverage in SSA.

Measuring physical literacy for an evidence-based approach: Validation of the French perceived physical literacy instrument for emerging adults

Background/Objectives

Physical Literacy (PL) is increasingly recognized as a key element in studies aimed at promoting Physical Activity (PA), but measurement tools for emerging adults and evidence for assessing and using this concept is lacking in a wide range of contexts. We aimed to validate the French version of the Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument (PPLI): a scale for investigating PL in young French adults.

Methods

After PL and PA data collection (n = 2,248, age_mean = 19 ± 1.53 yrs), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, Cronbach's α and Omega's ω and an Intraclass-Correlation analysis were undertaken. Spearman's rank correlation and the Boruta algorithm were used to investigate the association between PL and PA. Boruta's algorithm examined deeper external validation by analyzing the strength of an overall PL score in explaining PA, compared with separate dimensions of PL and individual characteristics (BMI, sex).

Results

Results showed an acceptable level of reliability (ICC = 0.91), internal validity (α = 0.88; ω = 0.77), and external validity (Rhô >0.18, p < 0.01). The Boruta algorithm highlighted that the construct of PL is a significant predictor of PA, although not the strongest one which is social and affective dimension.

Conclusion

This study provided data on validity and reliability of the first French assessment tool to measure PL constituted by four intertwined dimensions (physical, cognitive, social, affective). At the same time, it provides new evidence of the association between PL and PA.

The Mediating Role of Brain Structural Imaging Markers in Connecting Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Resilience

The impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on brain structure has been noticed. Resilience has been considered a protective characteristic from being mentally ill; however, the link between ACEs, psychological resilience, and brain imaging remains untested. A total of 108 participants (mean age 22.92 ± 2.43 years) completed the ACEs questionnaire and the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), with five subscales: personal strength (RSA_ps), family cohesion (RSA_fc), social resources (RSA_sr), social competence (RSA_sc), and future structured style (RSA_fss), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to acquire imaging data, and the fusion-independent component analysis was employed to determine multimodal imaging components. The results showed a significantly negative association between ACE subscales and RSA_total score (ps < 0.05). The parallel mediation model showed significant indirect mediation of mean gray matter volumes in the regions of the middle frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate, superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and precuneus between childhood maltreatment and RSA_sr and RSA_sc. (ps < 0.05). This study highlighted the ACEs effect on gray matter volumes in the regions of the middle frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate, superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and precuneus leading to decreased psychological resilience.

Healthier movement behavior profiles are associated with higher psychological wellbeing among emerging adults attending post-secondary education

BACKGROUND

Emerging adulthood is a stressful time fraught with new challenges while attending higher education. Identifying protective factors to help reduce the psychological burden that many will experience during this period is therefore important. This study aimed to identify whether emerging adults attending post-secondary education can be classified into distinct profiles based on their 24-h movement behaviors, evaluate correlates of profile membership, and examine relationships between profile membership and indicators of mental health.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used data from Cycle 1 of the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey. Emerging adults (N = 15,080; 67.6 % female; mean age = 20.78 ± 2.00) from 20 post-secondary institutions in Canada self-reported their movement behaviors - moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), recreational screen time (ST) and sleep - and completed measures of psychological distress and mental wellbeing. Latent profile analysis was employed.

RESULTS

Five profiles were identified: low ST with very high (12.6 %), high (24.4 %) and low MVPA (51.2 %) as well as high ST with high (2.3 %) and low MVPA (9.4 %). Profiles had similar sleep patterns and were thus characterized by differences in MVPA and ST. Several socio-demographic variables were associated with profile membership. Profiles characterized by healthier combinations of MVPA, ST and sleep generally reported more favorable scores for indicators of mental health.

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional data limits causal inference, whereas self-reports may be biased.

CONCLUSIONS

Campus-based interventions should focus on getting students to engage in a healthy balance of physical activity and recreational screen use as it has the potential to reduce the mental health burden on emerging adults attending post-secondary education.

Predictors of Higher-Order Affective Skills in Health Promotion Among Indonesian Nursing Students: Assessment and Evaluation

AIM

We examined health-promoting lifestyle in undergraduate nursing students and its potential as a predictor of health-promoting behaviors and basis for curriculum improvement.

BACKGROUND

A health-promoting lifestyle is essential among students for their future nursing roles. Development requires the internalization of healthy behaviors beyond the cognitive learning domain.

METHOD

Guided by Pender's health promotion model, this multisite, cross-sectional, and descriptive-correlational study surveyed 1,634 undergraduate nursing students in Bali, Indonesia.

RESULTS

The regression analysis revealed that student profiles explained the 5 percent variation in their overall health-promoting lifestyle. Perceived health status was observed to be a significant predictor ( p < .05) of health-promoting behaviors among a diverse sample of undergraduate nursing students.

CONCLUSION

The study findings emphasize the role of nursing education in instilling healthy behaviors among undergraduate students and the importance of integrating student-centered and context-responsive health promotion strategies into the nursing curriculum.

Appearance Orientation and Dating Anxiety in Emerging Adults: Considering the Roles of Appearance-Based Rejection Sensitivity, Social Physique Anxiety, and Self-Compassion

Emerging research has suggested that appearance-related factors, such as greater appearance orientation, are associated with dating anxiety in emerging adults, but much more could be done to understand mechanistic pathways and potential buffers. Here, we tested a moderated mediation model in which appearance-based rejection sensitivity and social physique anxiety were explored as mediators, and self-compassion was explored as a moderator, of the relationship between appearance orientation and dating anxiety. A total of 501 heterosexual emerging adults (248 women, 253 men) from the UK completed instruments measuring the aforementioned constructs. Relationships among all variables were largely similar across women and men, with only the association between social physique anxiety and appearance-based rejection sensitivity being significantly stronger in women. Mediation analysis in the total sample indicated that both social physique anxiety and appearance-based rejection anxiety were significant mediators. Additionally, we confirmed a serial mediation involving appearance orientation → appearance-based rejection sensitivity → social physique anxiety → dating anxiety. Conversely, self-compassion did not moderate the effects of either social physique anxiety or appearance-based rejection sensitivity on dating anxiety, although greater self-compassion was moderately associated lower dating anxiety. We suggest ways in which existing interventions aimed at reducing dating anxiety could be combined with body image interventions to reduce dating anxiety in heterosocial contexts.

The Inpatient Experience of Emerging Adults: Transitioning From Pediatric to Adult Care

The pediatric-to-adult care transition has been correlated with worse outcomes, including increased mortality. Emerging adults transitioning from child-specific healthcare facilities to adult hospitals encounter marked differences in environment, culture, and processes of care. Accordingly, emerging adults may experience care differently than other hospitalized adults. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to a large urban safety net hospital and compared all domains of patient experience between patients in 3 cohorts: ages 18 to 21, 22 to 25, and 26 years and older. We found that patient experience for emerging adults aged 18 to 21, and, to a lesser extent, aged 22 to 25, was significantly and substantially worse as compared to adults aged 26 and older. The domains of worsened experience were widespread and profound, with a 38-percentile difference in overall experience between emerging adults and established adults. While emerging adults experienced care worse in nearly all domains measured, the greatest differences were found in those pertinent to relationships between patients and care providers, suggesting a substantial deficit in our understanding of the preferences and values of emerging adults.

The effect of psychodrama group practices on nursing students' self-liking, self-competence, and self-acceptance: A quasi-experimental study

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the effects of psychodrama group practices on nursing students' levels of self-liking, self-competence, and self-acceptance.

DESIGN AND METHOD

This study was a non-randomized quasi-experimental study with a control group including pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test procedures. The study was carried out with 29 participants, including 15 experimental and 14 control group participants. The study data were collected using the sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, the Self-Liking/Self-Competence Scale, and the Unconditional Self-Acceptance Scale.

FINDING

It was found that the self-liking sub-dimension, self-liking/self-competence, and unconditional self-acceptance total scores in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group in the post-test measurements.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Psychodrama group practices have significant positive effects on students' self-liking, self-competence, and self-acceptance among nursing students.

A Quantitative Intersectional Exploration of Sexual Violence and Mental Health among Bi + People: Looking within and across Race and Gender

Young bisexual people report disparities related to mental health and sexual violence compared to their heterosexual and gay/lesbian peers. However, the majority of research in these areas does not employ an intersectional design, despite evidence that health outcomes vary by race and gender within bi + populations. The goal of this paper is to provide an intersectionally-informed exploration of the prevalence of sexual violence among a diverse sample of 112 bi + people age 18-26, as well as descriptive data on stigma, mental health, and social support. Most (82%) of participants reported at least once experience of sexual violence since the age of 16. Sexual violence was positively associated with sexual stigma, anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Nonbinary participants reported greater prevalence of violence, exposure to stigma, and worse mental health outcomes relative to cisgender participants. Nonbinary BIPOC participants reported higher levels of anxiety and depression than cisgender BIPOC participants.

Out of sight out of mind: Psychological distance and opinion about the age of penal majority

The growth of urban violence in Brazil, as in other countries, has led citizens to demand more severe and punitive measures to solve the problem of juvenile crime. One motion submitted to the Brazilian parliament, for instance, proposes to reduce the age of penal majority (APM) from 18 to 16 years. Our hypothesis is that popular opinions about this proposal are largely constrained by construal levels and psychological distance. Accordingly, we expect that the knowledge and proximity to the circumstances associated with juvenile transgression will influence opinions about the proposal. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated how opinion against or for the proposal can be explained by psychological distance and moral development theory. We studied two samples, composed of people who do not have a deep experience with the subject (passersby in a public square (N = 77) and workers from a juvenile justice court (N = 157). After collecting socio-demographic information from the subjects and their answer to moral dilemmas, the data was subjected to a multivariate analysis by multimodal logistic regression for socio-demographic characteristics, Kohlberg moral stages, and opinion on the reduction of APM (agree, indifferent, and disagree) as dependent variables. Our findings suggest that 1) opinion about the APM depends on psychological distance and 2) socioeconomic variables may influence the average construal level of adolescent transgressors in the public’s perspective.

Earlier Bedtime and Effective Coping Skills Predict a Return to Low-Risk of Depression in Young Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

To determine the persistent effects of the pandemic on mental health in young adults, we categorized depressive symptom trajectories and sought factors that promoted a reduction in depressive symptoms in high-risk individuals. Specifically, longitudinal analysis investigated changes in the risk for depression before and during the pandemic until December 2021 in 399 young adults (57% female; age range: 22.8 ± 2.6 years) in the United States (U.S.) participating in the National Consortium on Alcohol and NeuroDevelopment in Adolescence (NCANDA) study. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10) was administered multiple times before and during the pandemic. A score ≥10 identified individuals at high-risk for depression. Self-reported sleep behavior, substance use, and coping skills at the start of the pandemic were assessed as predictors for returning to low-risk levels while controlling for demographic factors. The analysis identified four trajectory groups regarding depression risk, with 38% being at low-risk pre-pandemic through 2021, 14% showing persistent high-risk pre-pandemic through 2021, and the remainder converting to high-risk either in June 2020 (30%) or later (18%). Of those who became high-risk in June 2020, 51% were no longer at high-risk in 2021. Logistic regression revealed that earlier bedtime and, for the older participants (mid to late twenties), better coping skills were associated with this declining risk. Results indicate divergence in trajectories of depressive symptoms, with a considerable number of young adults developing persistent depressive symptoms. Healthy sleep behavior and specific coping skills have the potential to promote remittance from depressive symptoms in the context of the pandemic.

Food Security and Nutrition as the Neglected Missing Links in Cultural Evolution: The Role of the Sociotype

Food security and nutrition were major drivers of cultural evolution by enabling sociotypic development and communal living after the Neolithic agricultural revolution some 12,000 years ago. The sociotype unites concepts from the sciences and the humanities; in concert with the genotype it determines an individual's phenotype (observable traits and behavior), and together they advance societal culture. As such, the sociotype relates to an individual's dynamic interactions with the surrounding social environment throughout life and comprises three domains: the Individual, Relationships, and Context. Nutrition affects each domain, respectively, by ensuring the following dimensions of food security: utilization (metabolic fuel and health); accessibility (physical and economic); and availability (the right to nutritious food for all citizens). The sociotype is influenced by multiple factors, including diet-gene interactions, allostasis, microbiota, oxytocin, and culturally through mate selection, family bonds, social communication, political ideologies, and values. Food security, sociotypes, and culture form a complex adaptive system to enable coping with the circumstances of life in health and disease, to achieve sustainable development, and to eradicate hunger. The current geopolitical unrest highlights the absolutely critical role of this system for global security, yet many challenges remain in implementing this paradigm for society. Therefore, sustainable food security must be considered a fundamental human right and responsibility for safeguarding the survival and progress of the sociotypes of humankind (Homo culturus) worldwide.

Virtual social interaction and loneliness among emerging adults amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Many social activities moved online during the global COVID-19 pandemic, yet research investigating whether virtual social interactions facilitate social connectedness has been inconclusive. In this study, participants completed online questionnaires assessing objective social isolation, loneliness, mental health, and virtual social interactions. There was clear evidence for worsening mental health among emerging adults during the COVID-19 pandemic characterized by large increases in depressive symptoms (mean increase = 8.35, 95% CI [6.97, 9.73], t(118) = 118, p < .001), and large decrements in happiness (mean decrease = -0.71, 95% CI [-0.84, -0.57], t(118) = 10.09, p < .001) and social satisfaction (mean decrease = -0.81, 95% CI [-1.00,-0.62], t(115) = 8.28, p < .001) post-pandemic onset. In line with expectations, those living in larger households amid the pandemic reported lower levels of loneliness and higher levels of happiness. A negative association was found between household size (an index of objective social isolation) and loneliness, b = -3.01, t(79) = 2.60, p = .011, 95% CI [-5.32, -0.71], and a positive association was found between household size and happiness, b = 22.86, t(75) = 3.30, p = .001, 95% CI [9.06, 36.65]. However, contrary to expectations, there was no association between loneliness and frequency of virtual social interactions. There was also no association between frequency of virtual social interactions and either happiness or depression. More research investigating social connectedness in the context of virtual social interactions is warranted.

Longitudinal change in physical activity and adiposity in the transition from adolescence to early adulthood: the 1993 Pelotas cohort study

Background

In the current Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG) for moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), abrupt transition from ≥ 60 min/day [youth PAG] to ≥ 150 min/week (≥ 22 min/day on average) [adult PAG] during emerging adulthood is poorly justified. The aim of this study was to examine body fat mass changes according to whether meeting the youth and adult PAGs in late adolescence (age 18 years) to early adulthood (age 22 years).

Methods

The study sample included 2,099 participants (1,113 females) from the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Study. At ages 18 and 22 years, MVPA was measured using wrist-worn accelerometry and fat mass was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. MVPA at age 18 was categorized into two groups: 0–59 or ≥ 60 min/day (no [N] or yes [Y] for meeting the youth recommendation, respectively). MVPA at age 22 was categorized into three groups: 0–21, 22–59, or ≥ 60 min/day (N, Y22, or Y60 for not meeting the adult recommendation, meeting the adult recommendation, or meeting the youth recommendation, respectively). The combination of these groups created six MVPA groups (N&N, N&Y22, N&Y60, Y&N, Y&Y22, and Y&Y60). Sex-specific multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to estimate change in fat mass index (FMI) from age 18 to 22 years in the six MVPA groups.

Results

Among males, compared to Y&Y60 (FMI increase = 1.2 kg/m² [95% CI = 1.0, 1.4]), Y&Y22 and Y&N had larger FMI increases (1.9 [1.6, 2.1] and 1.9 [1.2, 2.5], respectively). Among females, Y&Y60 and Y&Y22 had an equal FMI increase (1.6 [1.4, 1.9] for both groups), while Y&N had a larger FMI increase (2.4 [1.8, 3.0]).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that among those who were active in late adolescence, engaging in ≥ 22 min/day of MVPA in adulthood is associated with lower body fat gain for females, but not for males.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12966-022-01321-0.

Funcionamiento de las redes atencionales en la adultez joven y el nivel de educación

El objetivo del presente estudio fue observar el efecto de las variables nivel de estudios y adultez joven en la tarea de redes atencionales. Para ello, participaron 58 personas de población general separados en grupos de estudiantes y no estudiantes, y en adultez emergente y temprana, con los cuales se llevó a cabo un diseño experimental, utilizando como paradigma principal la tarea de redes atencionales. Los resultados mostraron que los grupos de estudiantes y no estudiantes no difirieron en rendimiento en ninguna de las condiciones de las redes, pero que, en cuanto a la variable adultez joven, hubo un efecto de interacción entre el tipo de adultez y la red de orientación, siendo el grupo adulto emergente más rápido que el grupo adulto temprano. Además, un análisis correlacional demostró que la edad correlacionó moderada y positivamente con el tiempo de reacción de todas las condiciones de la tarea atencional. Al final se discute la importancia del nivel de educación superior y la adultez joven sobre el funcionamiento de las redes atencionales en el campo de la psicología diferencial, y se mencionan las implicaciones de estos resultados en el ámbito clínico.

Demographic, Health and Pandemic-Related Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Intention Among Filipino Emerging Adults

Emerging adults have become more susceptible to COVID-19 because of the emergence of the Delta and Omicron variants. Vaccination can help protect them from contracting the virus. However, in the Philippines, vaccine acceptance rates are low. This cross-sectional study sought to determine the demographic, health, and pandemic-related determinants of COVID-19 vaccination intention among Filipino emerging adults. A total of 1692 Filipinos aged 18-24 years old participated in this study by answering an online survey. Findings reveal that 57.03% of the respondents do not intend to complete their COVID-19 vaccinations. Logistic regression analysis results suggest that less than "very good" self-reported health, lower life satisfaction, previous exposure to a COVID-19 patient, and lower pandemic fatigue were associated with greater odds of intending to vaccinate among Filipino emerging adults (p < 0.05).

Statutory Rape: Case Characteristics When Offenders are Younger Than 21 Years of Age Versus Older

Statutory rape laws are intended to protect adolescents from harm as a result of sexual activity with older individuals. In this pursuit, many, but far from all, states' statutory rape laws differentiate younger and older offenders. In effect, many of these states differentiate offenders who are 21 and older from those who are under 21. It is unknown, however, whether and how the dynamics of statutory rape vary depending on the age of the offender. To explore the contribution of offender age to the dynamics of statutory rape, data were collected from the records of 105 statutory rape cases referred to a child abuse assessment center over a 63-month period. Records included detailed reports on case history and victims' family history, mental health and health-risking behaviors, medical examination results, and forensic interview summaries. Cases of offenders¹1.Because these cases are under investigation, "offenders" here refers to "suspects." For ease of reading, we use "offenders" to be consistent with prior research terminology. under 21 were compared to the cases of offenders 21 years and older. Compared to cases of younger offenders, cases of offenders 21 years and older more often involved slightly older adolescent victims. Independent of age, victims with offenders 21 and over compared with offenders under 21 were over six times as likely to have a prior history of a high, versus low, number of psychosocial problems and were seven times more likely to experience multiple forms of coercion versus no coercion by the offender. Findings suggest that statutory rape prevention, policy and response strategies should consider the critical ways that case characteristics and victims differ according to this key offender attribute.

Building Resilience: Helping Emerging Adults Cope During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

The rapid spread of COVID-19 led to, among other things, confusion in news coverage and public health safety. In academe, university leaders were pressured to quickly construct new plans for holding university classes while integrating the safety protocols required by government officials. Though this sudden shift may have been necessary, it also disrupted the biopsychosocial needs, developmental norms, and milestones of emerging adults on college campuses. Current research on emerging adults' biopsychosocial needs during COVID-19 is scant, and research efforts may have been diverted due to the suddenness of campus shutdowns. Social work clinicians nonetheless need a theoretical framework that primarily focuses on emerging adults' needs during and post pandemic. Therapeutic settings create platforms for emerging adults to share their stories and for clinicians to understand their clients' lived experiences during a pandemic such as COVID-19. An awareness of how the experience of shared trauma can affect the therapeutic relationship is crucial to the wellbeing of both client and clinician. This composite case study illustrates a treatment intervention constructed from resilience theory that included narrating what unfolded, learning emotional regulation, building sources of support, and making meaning of the experience. The framework in this paper suggests that resilience theory can be an effective therapeutic approach for emerging adults during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and recommends further attention to the role of social workers in higher education.

Trajectories of NEET (Not in Education, Employment, and Training) in emerging adulthood, and later drug use disorder - a national cohort study

BACKGROUND

Being not in education, employment, or training (NEET) has been associated with poor health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the association between NEET during emerging adulthood and later drug use disorder (DUD) among males and females.

METHOD

A national cohort comprising 383,116 Swedish males and 362,002 females born between 1984 and 1990. NEET exposure was assessed annually between the ages 17 and 24 years, and follow-up for DUD between ages 25-33. Trajectories of NEET were estimated using group-based trajectory analysis. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) of DUD. Sibling-comparison model was performed to account for potential shared genetic and environmental factors.

RESULTS

Four trajectories of NEET were identified: "constant low", "transient peak", "late increase", and "constant high". Compared with the "constant low", all other trajectories were associated with increased HRs of DUD. HR was highest among males and females in the "late increase trajectory"; HR = 4.10 (3.79-4.44, 95% CI) and HR = 3.73 (3.29-4.24, 95% CI), after adjusting for domicile, origin, birth year, psychiatric diagnoses, and parental psychiatric diagnoses. This association was reduced to about a twofold increased risk in the sibling comparison analysis.

CONCLUSION

Being NEET during emerging adulthood was associated with later DUD for both males and females. Neither origin, psychiatric diagnoses, parental psychiatric diagnoses, nor shared familial factors did fully explain the association. Males and females belonging to the late increase NEET trajectory had about a twofold increased risk of DUD.

Higher exposure to childhood adversity associates with lower adult flourishing

Background

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are prevalent and associated with negative health and social outcomes. However, our understanding of how patterns of ACEs exposure relate to positive outcomes in adulthood remains limited. This study aims to identify patterns of ACEs and examine associations with flourishing in a sample of Chinese young adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November 2020. Young adults, ages 18–35, enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs at universities in Mainland China were recruited through convenience and snowball sampling to participate in a survey. The exposure to ACEs was measured by the twelve-item Chinese version of the ACE-International Questionnaire. Additional measures included six domains of flourishing assessed using the Chinese version of the Flourishing Measure, and demographic covariates (i.e., gender, age, year in university, marital status). Descriptive statistical analysis and latent class analysis (LCA) were performed using SPSS 27 and Mplus 8.5.

Results

Participants included 9468 young adults (mean age = 20.1 years). Majority of participants were female (75.3%), undergraduate students (96.4%), and single (79.8%). Approximately 56% of participants reported at least one ACE; 7.0% reported four or more ACEs. Emotional neglect (33.2%), household violence (20.6%), and parental separation/divorce (13.9%) were the most frequently reported ACEs. LCA identified three ACEs classes: multiple maltreatment and household violence (4.7%), emotional neglect and household violence (16.2%), and low ACEs (79.1%). Individuals in the low ACEs class had the highest level of flourishing whereas individuals in multiple maltreatment and household violence had the lowest level of flourishing in all six domains. There were no significant differences in flourishing between the multiple maltreatment and household violence and the emotional neglect and household violence classes except in the physical and mental health (means = 6.17 vs 6.51, p = 0.02) and the financial and material stability domains (means = 5.25 vs 5.66, p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Patterns of multiple ACEs exposures were associated with lower levels of flourishing. Our findings have implications for efforts to prevent ACEs exposure through monitoring and promoting family well-being and routine screening to identify those with ACEs exposure to prevent negative social and health sequelae.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13063-6.

Aging-Related Moderation of the Link Between Compliance With International Physical Activity Recommendations and the Hemodynamic, Structural, and Functional Arterial Status of 3,619 Subjects Aged 3–90 Years

Background

Compliance with physical activity recommendations (CPARs) is associated with better health indicators. However, there are only few studies to date that have comprehensively analyzed the association between CPARs and cardiovascular status “as a whole” (e.g., analyzing hemodynamic, structural, and functional properties, and different arterial territories). The relationship between CPARs and cardiovascular properties could be strongly influenced by the growth and aging process.

Aim

The goal of the study is to investigate the association between CPAR and cardiovascular properties by placing special emphasis on: (i) identifying if there is an independent association, (ii) if the association is “moderated” by age, and (iii) to what extent the association depends on the arterial parameter (hemodynamic vs. structural vs. functional) and/or the arterial segment (e.g., central vs. peripheral; elastic vs. transitional vs. muscular arteries).

Methods

A total of 3,619 subjects (3–90 years of age) were studied. Extensive cardiovascular evaluations were performed. Cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) and physical activity (PA) levels were determined. The subjects were categorized as compliant (n = 1, 969) or non-compliant (n = 1,650) with World Health Organization-related PA recommendations. Correlation and multiple regression models (including CPAR^*Age interaction) were obtained, and Johnson-Neyman technique was used to produce regions of significance.

Results

The independent association between CPARs and cardiovascular characteristics were strongly moderated by age. The moderation was observed on a wide range of age but particularly notorious on the extremes of life. Certain arterial characteristics demonstrated opposite effects in relation to CPAR status depending on the range of age considered. The association between CPAR and cardiovascular characteristics was independent of CRFs and moderated by age. In subjects younger than 45–55 years, CPAR status was associated with lower central and peripheral blood pressure (i.e., the younger the subject, the higher the reduction). During adult life, as age increases in the subjects, CPARs was associated with a beneficial hemodynamic profile, which is not related with variations in pressure but strongly related with lower levels of waveform-derived indexes and ventricular afterload determinants.

Conclusions

The independent associations between CPARs and arterial properties were strongly moderated by age. Data provided by blood pressure levels and waveform-derived indexes would be enough to evaluate the independent association between CPARs and the vascular system in the general population.

Protocol for black student well-being study: a multi-site qualitative study on the mental health and well-being experiences of black UK university students

INTRODUCTION

There is an increasing concern about the mental health and mental well-being of university students in the UK. Black university students who report a mental health condition are less likely to complete their course, achieve a first-class or upper second-class degree and progress to further education. This study will document black university students' accounts of their mental health experiences and perceptions of key turning points of biographical changes to their mental health as they move through the university life cycle.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a qualitative study. Data will be collected through a biographical narrative interpretive method. Interviews will enable the researcher to study systematically how participants make sense of themselves and account for the complexities of their life experiences, from their own perspectives and language. An interpretative phenomenological approach will be used to offer insights into what black students studying at UK universities report affects their mental health and well-being. Data collection for this study commenced in October 2020. Data collection and analyses will be completed by January 2022.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Full ethical approval for the current study was obtained from King's College London Psychiatry, Nursing and Midwifery Research Ethics Subcommittee (Rec Ref: 20489, Project Ref: HR-19/20-20489, 2 October 2020). From the study findings, we aim to contribute to the evidence base, make recommendations for interventions and encourage further study into black student mental health.

Young Adult Adaptability to the Social Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Protective Role of Friendships

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic enables assessment of the adaptability of young adults to non-normative stressors threatening their social-emotional wellbeing. Focusing specifically on a developmentally critical social challenge of restricted in-person contact, the goal of the current study was to examine the role of friendships in alleviating social-emotional problems. Data were collected via online surveys from an ethnically diverse sample (n = 1557) of 20 to 24-year-olds (62% cisgender female, 31% male, 7% gender diverse or gender questioning) in spring of 2021. Longitudinal data from an earlier time point involving an age-normative social challenge (transition out of high school) were used as a comparison. The comparisons between the transition from high school and the pandemic showed that whereas social anxiety and depressive symptoms increased, loneliness decreased. Participants also reported having slightly more friends and rated the overall quality of their friendships as somewhat higher. Regression analyses revealed that a greater number of friends over time and greater satisfaction with friend electronic communication during the pandemic were most robustly related to lower social and generalized anxiety as well as depressive symptoms, over and above earlier social-emotional wellbeing and a number of relevant correlates. Loneliness was protected by higher quality of friendships, greater contact with friends, as well as more frequent and satisfying electronic communication with friends. The results suggest that although young adults are facing emotional challenges during the continued pandemic, they are also able to adapt by keeping in touch with friends to decrease subjective sense of isolation. The findings have novel intervention implications to reduce loneliness.

'Doing' dating: A cross-sectional survey of young adults (18-35 years) in Australia and Hong Kong

INTRODUCTION

Dating is an occupation through which people form intimate relationships with others. Despite the importance of intimate relationships for wellbeing, there is limited information available in occupational therapy literature about the activities involved in dating and little guidance for practitioners who wish to support clients from diverse backgrounds who experience difficulties with dating. To address this gap, this study sought to explore dating among young adults (18-35 years) and compare dating activities between two contexts: Australia and Hong Kong.

METHODS

Data were collected using an e-survey designed for this study and refined using cognitive interviewing (n = 12). It included questions about dating initiation and activities. Study design and reporting was guided by the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and between group comparisons. Reponses to open ended questions were subjected to interpretative content analysis and quantified.

RESULTS

In total, 2208 young adults aged 18-35 who had at least one dating experience and resided in either Australia or Hong Kong completed the survey. Participants met their dates most commonly through school, friends, dating apps, and work. The most frequent ways to ask a person on a date were by suggesting 'hanging out' or going out for food, drink or to the movies. Most participants reported that organising a date required extended negotiation between the parties. Differences were found between participants from Hong Kong and Australia.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study of contemporary dating from an occupational perspective and provides an understanding of dating activities in two different cultural contexts.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Are Associated with Reduced Psychological Resilience in Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are presumed to influence internalizing and externalizing behaviors that can significantly debilitate long-term biopsychological development in individuals. Psychological resilience has been shown to effectively mediate the relationship between ACEs and negative health outcomes since individuals with low levels of resilience may have difficulty with bouncing back from toxic exposure to ACEs. Thus, the present systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed toward synthesizing current knowledge of the relationship between ACEs and psychological resilience in youths. Methods: A combination of key words relevant to the present study was searched on the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases. The results were restricted to English publications and human studies, with subjects ranging between the age of 0 to 35 years. Effect-size measures inclusive of pooled correlation coefficients for correlation analyses and pooled odds ratios for regression analyses, respectively, were calculated using random-effect models to determine the relationship between ACEs and psychological resilience. Results: The searches identified 85 potentially relevant studies. Among them, 76 were excluded due to limited access, irrelevant data, and the fact that the variables of interest were not explicitly measured or disclosed, leaving a final total of nine studies considered valid for the meta-analysis. Findings from correlational meta-analysis (n = 6) revealed a significantly negative association between ACEs and resilience (β = −0.120 [−0.196, −0.043]). The meta-analysis of the studies (n = 3) reporting dichotomous outcomes (ACE ≥ 1 vs. no ACE) indicated that subjects who experienced an ACE were 63% less likely to display high resilience, in comparison to subjects without such experiences. Conclusion: Our results support a negative association between ACEs and psychological resilience and highlight the multiple dimensions that constitute resilience in an ACE-exposure context. These findings may be particularly useful to policy makers and healthcare institutions in terms of helping them devise effective medical interventions and community outreach programs intended to develop resilience in youths, thus reducing health-risk behaviors and negative health outcomes.

On Neuroeducation: Why and How to Improve Neuroscientific Literacy in Educational Professionals

New findings from the neurosciences receive much interest for use in the applied field of education. For the past 15 years, neuroeducation and the application of neuroscience knowledge were seen to have promise, but there is presently some lack of progress. The present paper states that this is due to several factors. Neuromyths are still prevalent, and there is a confusion of tongues between the many neurodisciplines and the domains of behavioral and educational sciences. Second, a focus upon cognitive neuroimaging research has yielded findings that are scientifically relevant, but cannot be used for direct application in the classroom. A third factor pertains to the emphasis which has been on didactics and teaching, whereas the promise of neuroeducation for the teacher may lie more on pedagogical inspiration and support. This article states that the most important knowledge and insights have to do with the notion of brain plasticity; the vision that development is driven by an interaction between a person's biology and the social system. This helps individuals to select and process information, and to adapt to the personal environment. The paper describes how brain maturation and neuropsychological development extend through the important period of adolescence and emergent adulthood. Over this long period, there is a major development of the Executive Functions (EFs) that are essential for both cognitive learning, social behavior and emotional processing and, eventually, personal growth. The paper describes the basic neuroscience knowledge and insights - or "neuroscientific literacy" - that the educational professional should have to understand and appreciate the above-described themes. The authors formulate a proposal for four themes of neuroscience content "that every teacher should know." These four themes are based on the Neuroscience Core Concepts formulated by the Society for Neuroscience. The authors emphasize that integrating neuroscientific knowledge and insights in the field of education should not be a one-way street; attempts directed at improving neuroscientific literacy are a transdisciplinary undertaking. Teacher trainers, experts from the neuroscience fields but also behavioral scientists from applied fields (notable applied neuropsychologists) should all contribute to for the educational innovations needed.

Associations between body image, social physique anxiety, and dating anxiety in heterosexual emerging adults

Studies have suggested that body image is associated with dating anxiety, but are limited by small sample sizes, singular operationalisations of body image, and a lack of consideration of the concurrent effects of social physique anxiety. To overcome these gaps in the literature, we asked an online sample of 501 heterosexual emerging adults from the United Kingdom (age M = 21.16, 50.3% women) to complete measures of multidimensional body image, social physique anxiety, and dating anxiety. Correlational analyses indicated that more negative body image and social physique anxiety were both significantly associated with greater dating anxiety. However, in hierarchical regressions, the variance accounted for by body image variables was largely non-significant and weak after accounting for the effects of social physique anxiety. In exploratory analyses, we found that social physique anxiety mediated the relationship between the body image facet of appearance orientation and dating anxiety. These results highlight the importance of developing targeted interventions to reduce social physique anxiety and unhealthy appearance orientation in heterosocial dating contexts.

Trends in Obesity Prevalence Among Adults Aged 18 Through 25 Years, 1976-2018

This study uses nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine changes in obesity prevalence in the US over the last 4 decades among adults aged 18 through 25 years.

Longitudinal changes in the mental health of UK young male and female adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

An increasing body of research indicates that, whilst young adults are at the lowest risk of becoming severely physically ill as a result of COVID-19, they are at the greatest risk of adverse mental health outcomes. Using data from the Understanding Society COVID-19 survey, the current study examined the mental health of 18-25-year-olds during the pandemic. Current mental health was measured at six time points using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), a validated measure for mental distress. The analytic sample included 880 young adults (292 = males; 588 = females). The trajectory of mental health was modeled from April to November 2020, using demographic information and health behaviors (physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking cigarettes) as covariates. Growth curve modeling indicated that alcohol consumption, smoking, being female, having a lower income, and having a pre-existing mental health condition were risk factors for worse mental health during the pandemic. For females, their mental health was lowest in April but gradually improved until September, when it began to decline again. Males, in contrast, had a relatively stable trajectory of mental health across the pandemic. These findings can help inform targeted interventions for at risk groups to minimize the adverse impact of the pandemic on young adults' mental health.

Nonhuman primates at the intersection of aging biology, chronic disease, and health: An introduction to the American journal of primatology special issue on aging, cognitive decline, and neuropathology in nonhuman primates

Aging across the Primate Order is poorly understood because ages of individuals are often unknown, there is a dearth of aged animals available for study, and because aging is best characterized by longitudinal studies which are difficult to carry out in long-lived species. The human population is aging rapidly, and advanced age is a primary risk factor for several chronic diseases and conditions that impact healthspan. As lifespan has increased, diseases and disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) have become more prevalent, and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias have become epidemic. Nonhuman primate (NHP) models are key to understanding the aging primate CNS. This Special Issue presents a review of current knowledge about NHP CNS aging across the Primate Order. Similarities and differences to human aging, and their implications for the validity of NHP models of aging are considered. Topics include aging-related brain structure and function, neuropathologies, cognitive performance, social behavior and social network characteristics, and physical, sensory, and motor function. Challenges to primate CNS aging research are discussed. Together, this collection of articles demonstrates the value of studying aging in a breadth of NHP models to advance our understanding of human and nonhuman primate aging and healthspan.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in the transition between adolescence and adulthood

PURPOSE

Young adulthood is characterized by changes in health care decision-making, insurance coverage, and sexual risk. Although the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is now approved for adults up to age 45, and catch-up vaccination is currently recommended up through age 26, vaccination rates remain low in young adults. This study explored perspectives on HPV vaccination among young adults receiving care at the student health center of a large public university.

METHODS

We conducted semi-structured interviews (n = 27) and four focus groups with female and male undergraduate and graduate students (n = 18) and semi-structured interviews with health care providers (n = 6). Interviews and focus groups explored perceived risk of HPV infection, benefits of the HPV vaccine, and motivations for and barriers to HPV vaccination.

RESULTS

Many young adults cited their parents' views and recommendations from medical providers as influential on their decision-making process. Students perceived that cervical cancer prevention was a main benefit of the HPV vaccine and sexual activity was a risk factor for HPV infection. Students often lacked knowledge about the vaccine's benefits for males and expressed some concerns about the safety and side effects of a vaccine perceived as new. Logistical barriers to vaccination included uncertainty over vaccination status and insurance coverage for the vaccine, and concerns about balancing the vaccine schedule with school obligations. Providers' vaccine recommendations were impacted by health system factors, including clinical infrastructure, processes for recommending and documenting vaccination, and office visit priorities. Suggested vaccination promotion strategies included improving the timing and messaging of outreach efforts on campus and bolstering clinical infrastructure.

CONCLUSIONS

Although college may be an opportune time to reach young adults for HPV vaccination, obstacles including navigating parental influence and independent decision-making, lack of awareness of vaccination status, and numerous logistical and system-level barriers may impede vaccination during this time.