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Adults with a history of living in residential youth care (RYC) face elevated risks across various life domains. In this cohort profile paper, we outline the design of a comprehensive follow-up study-the VINGO study-targeting young adults (22-30 years) with a history of living in RYC (T2). We describe the recruitment strategy and present sample characteristics. Data were collected in the baseline study (T1) from 2011 to 2014. At T1, the 400 adolescent participants showed a high prevalence of mental disorders, maltreatment experiences, substance use, and self-reported suicide attempts. Data collection at T2 10 years later (2021-2023) included self-reported sociodemographic information, physical health, childhood maltreatment, dissociation, quality of life, social support, and self-esteem using standardized and validated instruments. A diagnostic psychiatric assessment and subjective evaluation of service utilization were conducted by telephone interviews. Additionally, a qualitative sub-study involved in-depth interviews of fourteen participants. We reached a 52% response rate at T2. Comparing participants (n = 157, 107 females) to non-participants (n = 243, 123 females) based on T1 data revealed that T2 participants had a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and conduct disorder and a lower prevalence of ADHD at T1. Furthermore, T2 participants reported more suicide attempts, experiences of maltreatment, and problematic substance use at T1. Our results show that we reached a burdened population, positioning the VINGO study as a unique opportunity to examine a vulnerable population of emerging adults.

Alternative subcultures are characterized by being outside mainstream society, with membershaving similar music preferences, appearances, and values. The goal of this study was tounderstand the experiences of emerging adults who identify with alternative subcultures (e.g.,goth, emo, punk, etc). The sample included 83 participants from three groups: 1) self-identifiedalternative social media users, 2) self-identified alternative undergraduate students, and 3)undergraduate students who did not identify with alternative subcultures. Participants completedan online survey containing open-ended questions about subcultural identity and mental healthmeasures for depressive and anxious symptoms, positive affect, and negative affect. Resultsrevealed higher levels of depressive symptoms in both alternative groups compared to thenon-alternative group, and higher levels of negative affect in the social media alternative groupcompared to the non-alternative group. There were no significant group differences for levels ofanxious symptoms or positive affect. Qualitative findings revealed that self-expression andauthenticity are subcultural values and that distinct music taste and appearance are indicators ofsubcultural identity. Although friends and family often introduce today’s emerging adults tosubcultures, they mainly learn about the pressing issues within the alternative communitythrough social media. This topic remains widely unexplored, and future studies should examinewhy today’s self-identified alternative emerging adults may report higher levels of depressivesymptoms and negative affect. One possible reason is that society continues to hold mostlynegative perceptions of subcultures. This research is important for providing services to promotewell-being for individuals who identify with alternative subcultures.

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities are disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic. AI/AN emerging adults (ages 18-25) in urban areas are at particularly high risk, with the overdose death rate among urban-dwelling AI/AN people 1.4 times higher than rural-dwelling AI/AN people. Despite these challenges, there are no evidence-based culturally tailored prevention or intervention programs to address opioid, alcohol and other drug use among urban AI/AN emerging adults. This study focused on understanding AI/AN emerging adults experiences with two culturally tailored programs addressing opioid, cannabis, and alcohol use as part of the randomized controlled trial for Traditions and Connections for Urban Native Americans (TACUNA) in order to enhance feasibility of this intervention. Using a convergent mixed methods design at 3-month follow-up, we collected satisfaction and experience ratings and written narratives (total n = 162; intervention n = 77; control n = 85) from a sample of urban-dwelling AI/AN emerging adults who participated in both programs. We analyzed data through simultaneous examination of qualitative and quantitative data. The quantitative ratings show that both programs were rated highly. The qualitative data contextualized these ratings, illustrating pathways through which specific components were perceived to cause desired or observed behavioral change in participants. Among the elements that mattered most to these participants were the convenience of the virtual format, having a comfortable and safe space to share personal stories, and learning new information about their social networks. Negative comments focused on workshop length and inconvenient scheduling. This is one of the first studies to explore participant satisfaction and experience with culturally tailored substance use programming among a historically marginalized and understudied population. It is important to consider the voices of urban-dwelling AI/AN people in program development because hidden factors, such as limited financial resources, limited time, and misalignment with cultural values may prevent existing programs from being feasible.

As emerging adults (18–25) establish food decision-making independence, this study examines personal and media influences on their recipe choices via segmented approach. A survey during COVID-19 (N = 556) assessed preferred recipe socialization agents (family members, friends, celebrity chefs, celebrities, food influencers). Two-step clustering identified three pre-COVID-19 and seven during-COVID-19 clusters with varying recipe socialization agents, revealing the dynamic, negotiated nature of recipe socialization in emerging adulthood, with both shared and differing preferences. The cluster shifts during COVID-19 reflected changes unique to emerging adulthood. These insights help scholars and foodservice businesses better understand emerging adult food consumer socialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined how individual (satisfaction of basic psychological needs), relational (perceived achievement- and dependency-oriented parental psychological control), and cultural (ethnic identity) factors may contribute to Asian American college students' (18 – 25 years of age) disordered eating. Participants: Asian American college students (N = 118) participated in the study. Methods: Participants completed a cross-sectional survey study. Moderated mediation models were used to analyze the data. Results: Analyses showed that perceived achievement-oriented, but not dependency-oriented, parental psychological control was more strongly associated with psychological needs satisfaction at higher, compared to lower, levels of ethnic identity. Conclusions: Findings highlighted the importance of both parenting and ethnic identity among Asian American college students' psychological needs and risk for disordered eating. The complex relations among achievement expectations, ethnic identity and wellbeing in Asian Americans are discussed. The results can inform intervention and prevention programs attending to the needs of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Less is known of youth workers' views on their development of relationships with older adolescents and emerging adults in the U.S. This qualitative study examined youth worker perspectives on strategies used to develop relationships with older adolescents and emerging adults. Twelve youth workers and one key stakeholder participated. Youth workers based relationships on positive affirmation and trust. Youth workers developed relationships through non-verbal and verbal communication. They created space for relationships to grow and change. Study findings may be useful as a flexible guide for youth workers to approach building relationships with older adolescents or emerging adults in the U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the popularity and ease of single-item craving assessments, we developed a multi-item measure and compared it to common single-item assessments in an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) context. Two weeks of EMA data were collected from 48 emerging adults (56.25% female, 85.42% White) who frequently used cannabis. Eight craving items were administered, and multilevel factor analyses were used to identify the best fitting model. The resulting scale's factors represented purposefulness/general desire and emotionality/negative affect craving. Convergent validity was examined using measures of craving, cannabis use disorder symptoms, frequency of use, cannabis cue reactivity, cannabis use, negative affect, and impulsivity. The scale factors were associated with cue-reactivity craving, negative affect, impulsivity, and subfactors of existing craving measures. For researchers interested in using a single item to capture craving, one item performed particularly well. However, the new scale may provide a more nuanced assessment of mechanisms underlying craving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examined the associations between music preferences, uses of music and personality factors and facets. The sample included 449 participants (50% female, M = 23.59, SD = 2.14) who indicated preferences for international and regional music styles that were classified into Reflective and Complex, Intense and Rebellious, Upbeat and Conventional, Energetic and Rhythmic, and Regional preferences, and filled in the Uses of Music Inventory and IPIP-300 questionnaire. After controlling for age, gender and uses of music, personality significantly added to the prediction of all music preferences, except Energetic and Rhythmic. Personality factors explained additionally from 9% to 21%, and facets from 18% to 34% of the music preference variance, respectively. Openness, as well as some openness facets, emerged as significant predictors for different music preferences. Our results indicate that when trying to explain preferences with personality traits, the personality traits should be measured at the facet level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is an emerging pathological condition among emerging adults, causing significant distress and hindering daily life functioning. The increasing prevalence of NSSI highlights its importance as a crucial area requiring clinical attention. To devise effective interventions for managing NSSI, it is important to identify the factors contributing to its onset and maintenance. Therefore, the current study aims to explore emotional and cognitive factors to provide a holistic understanding of NSSI in emerging adults in the Pakistani context. For this purpose, a qualitative study was conducted using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with N = 10 self-injurers (mean age: 22.2 years) recruited through purposive sampling. Participants had engaged in self-injury at least five times in the past year without suicidal intent. The arm was identified as the most common site for self-injury, with cutting being the most frequently used method. Data from the transcribed interviews were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis. Three main themes—'emotional turbulence,' 'low distress tolerance,' and 'rumination'—and nine subthemes emerged, highlighting the emotional and cognitive factors contributing to the initiation and maintenance of NSSI. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the emotional and cognitive dimensions of NSSI in emerging Pakistani adults. These insights will aid in treatment planning and in selecting appropriate strategies for reducing and ultimately eradicating NSSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjective. The transition to college is associated with rising rates of depressive symptoms and decreased well-being. It is critical to identify protective psychological factors for this period. One possible protective factor is psychological flexibility, or the ability to pursue self-identified values despite distressing thoughts and emotions. This study examined associations among psychological flexibility components and well-being outcomes in first semester college students. Participants: The sample consisted of 238 diverse first-semester college students recruited from five universities. Method: Using structural equation modeling, we examined associations among three components of psychological flexibility and two dimensions of well-being (i.e., depressive symptoms and sense of belonging at college). Results: All three psychological flexibility components were associated with less severe depressive symptoms, but only valued action was associated with higher sense of belonging. Conclusions: Results highlight psychological flexibility as a novel set of resilience factors with differential associations with key outcomes during the transition to college. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The long-lasting consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological well-being of young people have become an emerging research topic, which still raises several questions for post-pandemic interventions at the individual and community levels. This research investigated the relationship between COVID-19 pandemic life events and the occurrence of binge eating behaviors in emerging adults, hypothesizing indirect effects of the emotional impact of pandemic events and social anxiety. Methods: Data collection was conducted in November and December 2021 in Italy, involving 286 university students aged 18 to 30 years (Mage = 20.20; SDage = 2.43; 69.6% women) who completed an online anonymous survey. Participants reported the pandemic-related stressors experienced in the last year (i.e., adverse life events; the number of days in quarantine), the long-lasting emotional impact of these experiences in the previous week (i.e., intrusive thoughts; avoidance of thoughts), social anxiety symptoms, and frequency of binge eating episodes. A serial mediation model was tested in line with the research hypotheses. Results: Both the number of days in quarantine and the pandemic adverse life events in the last year were significantly and positively related to binge eating via the sequential indirect effects of (1) intrusive thoughts and (2) social anxiety. Conclusion: Our findings provide support for the long-lasting effects of pandemic events and quarantine on emerging adults' mental health, with cascade effects on intrusive symptoms, social anxiety, and binge eating. The study has interesting research, practice, and public health policies implications. Plain english summary: This study explores the long-lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people's mental health, one year following the pandemic outbreak. Specifically, we administered online anonymous questionnaires to 286 university students living in Italy. Two pandemic experiences were investigated: (1) the number of days spent in quarantine during the past year, and (2) the amount of adverse life events caused by the pandemic. Among the mental health symptoms, we investigated: the emotional impact of pandemic events (i.e. intrusive thoughts, and avoidance of thoughts about the pandemic), social anxiety symptoms (i.e. social withdrawal and fear of negative evaluations), and binge eating (i.e. incontrollable overeating episodes). Some pandemic-related conditions, such as prolonged isolation and fear of contagion, might have triggered social anxiety symptoms in vulnerable individuals, and binge eating might have been a dysfunctional response to these negative feelings. Our results confirmed that the higher number of days in quarantine and the higher amount of adverse life events caused by the pandemic have had cascade effects on individuals' well-being. Specifically, they led to more intrusive, undesired, and incontrollable thoughts about the pandemic, which in turn increased social anxiety, which sequentially contributed to explaining more frequent binge eating episodes. These findings provide indications for researchers, health professionals, and public health policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Young people's access to appropriate health information in Ghana has been marginal, hence their utilisation of existing services remains poor. Most sexual and reproductive health (SRH) policies and outreach programmes target adolescents, neglecting emerging adults who are equally vulnerable to SRH risks. This study seeks to elicit emerging adults' knowledge and experiences with SRH programmes, and their recommendations to improve the services for their needs. Methods: Using data from 30 in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions with youth aged 18–24 years in a suburb of Accra, we provide insights on emerging adults' experiences with SRH programmes and their recommendations for their improvement, as well as young men's perspectives on SRH programmes, in particular. Results: The participants were in three socio-economic groups: tertiary students, informal workers and apprentices. The main SRH education that the emerging adults had received was from their earlier formal education in Junior and Senior High Schools but not in their current places of school or work. However, they indicate that the SRH education programmes and information they received earlier in life were inadequate to tackle pragmatic issues that contemporary youth face. Furthermore, SRH programmes operate in unfriendly environments with negative messages that cause them to lack vital information. Discussion: For the success of SRH programmes, the youth should be targeted with diverse contemporary approaches specific for their SRH needs. Key recommendations comprised making available SRH education tailored for emerging adults' current demographic and socio-economic groups, and providing appropriate SRH content and youth-friendly community centres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mental health disorders are the third most common disorder in the Philippines, showing a need for further studies in this field among the Filipino population. Several studies have shown that sociodemographic characteristics and spirituality could influence the mental health of individuals, although there are sparse studies in the Philippines. Objectives: The present study explored the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and spirituality to depression, anxiety, and stress among emerging adults in Metro Manila. Methods: The study gathered data using a self-administered sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, the Core Dimensional Spirituality Questionnaire (CDSQ), and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS 21). The data collected was then analyzed through linear regression analysis. Results: More than half of the participants had significant scores for anxiety, while two out of five participants had significant scores for depression. Almost one out of five participants had significant scores for stress. Depression scores are positively associated with being LGBTQ+ and belief in God, while they are negatively associated with feelings of security. Similarly, anxiety scores are positively associated with being LGBTQ+. Likewise, stress scores are positively associated with being LGBTQ+ and age, while it is negatively associated with feelings of security. Conclusion: The findings suggest that LGBTQ+ emerging adults and those with older age may need additional focus in mental health programs. Likewise, mental health programs may also enhance their activities to increase an individual's security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackgroundObjectivesMethodsResultsConclusionAlcohol and pain frequently co-occur and interact in a positive feedback loop that maintains and exacerbates both conditions. The Expectancies for Alcohol Analgesia (EAA) is a recently developed, single-factor measure that assesses the extent to which individuals expect alcohol will reduce their pain. Alcohol-related outcome expectancies motivate drinking and predict drinking trajectories among emerging adults (18–24). The EAA was initially validated among adults with chronic pain who drink alcohol and has been associated with several indices of pain and alcohol. We are unaware of prior work that examined the psychometric properties of the EAA among emerging adults, who are at high-risk for developing positive expectancies regarding the utility of alcohol for pain management.The goal of this study was to examine the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the EAA among emerging adult college students.Emerging adult college students who endorsed lifetime alcohol use and varying pain levels (N = 555, 74.4% Female, 75.2% White) completed an online survey of pain and alcohol use.Confirmatory factor analysis indicated the single-factor structure was a good fit (CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.99, SRMR = 0.01, RMSEA = 0.04). Internal consistency was excellent (α = .95), and EAA scores were positively associated with alcohol consumption, alcohol-related consequences, drinking motives, and pain intensity and disability (ps < .01).These findings suggest the EAA is a valid and reliable measure for assessing expectancies for alcohol analgesia among emerging adult college students, which may also be a promising intervention target to include in expectancy challenge interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored how emerging adults processed the COVID-19 pandemic based on their identity, mental well-being, and political ideology. Participants (N = 231; Mage = 20.3; SD = 1.36) completed an online survey with five ordered measures: Dimensions of Identity Development Scale, pandemic processing narratives, pandemic experience questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-8, and political ideology and demographic questionnaire. Analyses revealed that individuals with poorer mental well-being and/or more liberal political ideology self-reported more negative effects of the pandemic on their lives. Yet, aspects of emerging adults' identity development were associated with positive interpretation of experiences during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: Greater 'exploration in breadth' and 'identification with commitment' positively predicted redemptive arcs (finding the positive) in narratives about the pandemic. Finally, political ideology was an important factor in emerging adults' experience of the pandemic. Notably, conservative participants self-reported better mental well-being, fewer negative effects of the pandemic, and higher levels of identity commitment. Yet, conservative participants with high levels of 'commitment making' were less likely to find the positive when writing about negative events. Whereas, greater 'commitment making' reduced the likelihood of redemptive arcs when writing about a negative event, but only for those with a conservative political ideology. Together these results suggest that aspects of identity development may be protective when emerging adults face challenges and individual factors (e.g., well-being and political ideology) can also exert effects on emerging adults' ability to navigate global and political crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive youth development (PYD) frameworks suggest that a critical response to investigating the challenges young Black men living in resource poor communities experience involves identifying contextual resources in young men's lives and personal assets that promote success. The following study examines heterogeneity in proactive coping assets trajectories, parental practices as predictors of developmental trajectories, and associated outcomes of each trajectory. The study sample consisted of Black emerging adult men living in rural Georgia (N = 504). At baseline, men were between the ages of 19 and 22 (Mage = 20.29; SD = 1.10). At wave four, the participants' mean age was 27.67 (SD = 1.39). Results of growth mixture modeling from waves 1 to 3 discerned three developmental trajectory classes of emerging adults' proactive coping assets: a high and increasing class (n = 247, 49%), a low and stable class (n = 212, 42%), and a moderate and decreasing class (n = 45, 9%). Trajectory classes were linked to baseline levels of parental support, coaching, and expectations. Analysis revealed that parental support and parental coaching predicted proactive coping asset trajectory class identification. Links were then investigated between emerging adults' proactive coping asset trajectory classes and wave four physical health, depression, and alcohol use. Results revealed significant associations between class identification, alcohol use, and physical health. Study findings provide evidence supporting the impact of parenting on emerging adult Black men, underscoring the need to expand resources that support parenting and emerging adult relationships. Highlights: Study results revealed three proactive coping asset development trajectories.Parental practices of support and coaching were predictors of men's trajectory class identification.Substance use and physical health were significantly associated with trajectory class identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies assessing the relationship between religiosity and sexual behaviors in youth are limited by their use of single‐aspect measures of religiosity, assumption of linearity, and focus on coital behaviors. This study assessed how multidimensional latent profiles of religiosity were associated both with sexual risk behaviors and noncoital sex. Data were gathered using a national sample of emerging adults in Croatia (N = 1,210; Mage = 21.74, 48.0 percent female). Latent profile analysis provided a three‐profile model as the most robust solution, differentiating among the low, moderate, and high religiosity groups. The gradient pattern (differences among all profiles) was observed only in the association between religiosity and the frequency of masturbation and experiencing oral sex. The relationship between religiosity and other sexual behaviors either was nonlinear or not found. Overall, religiosity was associated with a more limited sexual repertoire. Its protective effect in sexual risk taking was small but relevant for the most religious youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The beginning of college marks a decline in physical activity and racial/ethnic minorities have disproportionately lower rates of physical activity. This study examined the association between perceived stress and physical activity among an ethnically diverse sample of college-attending young adults. Participants: 2,396 students (36% male, 64% female) from a large public university. Methods: Cross-sectional survey administered across campus departments and general education courses. Results: Gender stratified multivariate analyses showed for both males and females, higher perceived stress was associated with less frequency of physical activity the past six months. Compared to non-Hispanic white females, Hispanic/Latina females and Asian/Pacific Islander females reported significantly less frequency of vigorous/moderate and strengthening/toning activities. There were no race/ethnic differences among males. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to create targeted interventions for college men and women and among racial/ethnic subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study: Intolerance of uncertainty (IU), a disposition to see uncertainty as negative, is a unique construct associated with a number of internalizing disorders and has been a target in cognitive behavioral interventions. Given the overlap between internalizing disorders and alcohol use, exploring IU in the context of drinking behavior provides a promising area of inquiry. Past work identified associations between IU and drinking motives, important predictors of alcohol-related outcomes, with less work examining drinking behavior. Objective: We explored the role of IU and drinking motives on drinking patterns and potentially problematic drinking in a community sample of emerging adults (18–25 years). Method: Survey data was collected from 551 emerging adults (Mage = 22.26, SD = 2.25; 42.50% cisgender women, 42.28% cisgender men, 9.44% gender diverse; 37.93% white; 16.18% Hispanic/Latine) using an online participant recruitment tool. Participants completed demographic questions, motivations for drinking (DMQ-R), quantity and frequency of alcohol use (DDQ-R), potentially problematic drinking behavior (AUDIT), and attitudes towards uncertainty with a two-factor and single factor operationalization (IUS-27 and IUS-12). Results: Across models, statistically significant indirect effects were found, such that greater IU was associated with higher coping and enhancement motives and increased average and maximum drinks per week and AUDIT scores. Conclusion: While consistent with the prior literature, novel relations were found between IU and drinking indices via drinking motives. Future work should explore relations between IU and drinking outcomes longitudinally and whether interventions targeting IU have benefit in the prevention of maladaptive alcohol use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mediational role of parental contingent self-worth and maternal separation anxiety between maternal reports of narcissism (grandiose: assertive/extroverted and antagonistic/disagreeable; vulnerable: vulnerable/neurotic narcissism) and mothers' and emerging adults' reports of overparenting (n = 243 dyads) was investigated. Given the theoretical differences between assertive/extroverted, antagonistic/disagreeable, and vulnerable/neurotic forms of narcissism, mothers' reports of assertive/extroverted, antagonistic/disagreeable, and vulnerable/neurotic narcissism were hypothesized to be mediated by parental contingent self-worth in predicting overparenting, and the association between vulnerable/neurotic narcissism and overparenting was hypothesized to work through parent separation anxiety. Results generally supported hypotheses. Structural equation models revealed that narcissistic assertive/extroverted and antagonistic/disagreeable forms of narcissism were positively and directly associated with maternal reports of overparenting, as expected, and they were partially mediated through parental contingent self-esteem. Maternal assertive/extroverted and vulnerable/neurotic narcissism were linked to overparenting via parental contingent self-worth and maternal separation anxiety. Similar patterns appeared for emerging adults' reports of overparenting. Results are discussed in terms of narcissistic mothers' use of overparenting as a tactic to control, ensure self-validation, and maintain child dependency of their emerging adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilience is defined as the ability to bounce back from adversity. Life challenges are present in all stages of human development, including the stage of emerging adulthood. Being resilient is crucial to cope with these challenges. Existing studies have revealed that parenting styles have a significant impact on one's resilience level. Nevertheless, the impact of a specific parenting style, particularly helicopter parenting on resilience has not been extensively studied in Malaysia. In addition, the underlying mechanism of the relationship between helicopter parenting and resilience is also under-examined, though it is suggested that fear of negative evaluation may play a mediating role in it. A cross-sectional design was employed to examine the relationship between helicopter parenting and resilience, as well as the mediating role of fear of negative evaluation in the relationship among Malaysian Chinese university students. A survey questionnaire including the Helicopter Parenting Scale, Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, and Brief Resilience Scale was answered by 204 participants. Results indicated that helicopter parenting predicts resilience, and the relationship is partially mediated by fear of negative evaluation. This study sheds light on how university students' resilience level could be promoted by reducing the fear of negative evaluation. The result of the study could be useful in promoting greater resiliency and reducing the negative effect of helicopter parenting among university students, by lessening the fear of negative evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined emerging adults' cybermonitoring behaviors before, during, and after a romantic interaction. Given the abundance of information available online, behaviors representative of the less intrusive end of the continuum of cyberstalking (e.g., clicking on profile, viewing tagged photos) have become a common aspect of romantic interactions. Thus, this project focused predominately on those more mundane aspects of information seeking (i.e., cybermonitoring). Emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 29 (N = 240) and who had at least one previous romantic interaction completed an online survey regarding their experiences with cybermonitoring, engagement in cybermonitoring, and their motives for cybermonitoring. Analyses revealed that 94.4% of participants had engaged in cybermonitoring; often using Facebook (74.6%) and Instagram (75.4%) to engage in cybermonitoring on their perspective, current, or former romantic partners. Furthermore, they reported engaging in behaviors differentially, Wilks' = .19, F(17, 203) = 49.85, p < .001, p 2 = .81, with less intrusive behaviors (e.g., clicking on profile, viewing tagged photos) commonly used than more intrusive cyberstalking behaviors (e.g., creating fake profile, using location). Additionally, participants reported engaging in more cybermonitoring during their romantic relationship than before, t(191) = 5.78, p < .001, g = 0.35, or after, t(194) = 8.41, p < .001, g = 0.60, and more frequently before the interaction than after, t(192) = 3.70, p < .001, g = 0.21. Lastly, participants predominately reported engaging in cybermonitoring after a breakup for reasons related to curiosity about their ex-partner. How this information compares to prior research on cyberstalking is discussed. Ultimately, we posit that cybermonitoring may be a more appropriate term for representing emerging adults' online behaviors revolving around romantic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extensive research indicates that individuals with learning disabilities are more prone to experiencing heightened levels of emotional difficulties and distress. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between specific learning disabilities (SLDs) and psychological distress (PD), particularly focusing on the predictive power of difficulties in reading, writing, and arithmetic on PD, while also considering the effects of gender and age. Methods: The sample consisted of 133 participants (73 male) aged 23–44 years (M = 34.41, SD = 9.69), with 56 officially diagnosed with an SLD. The participants completed an online survey comprising a demographics questionnaire, a self-report SLD questionnaire, and psychological distress assessment using the K6 scale. Results: The participants with SLDs reported higher PD levels than the general population, with significant correlations between difficulties in reading, writing, and arithmetic and PD. Reading and writing difficulties were stronger predictors of PD than arithmetic difficulties. Additionally, the women and younger adults reported more PD, with the SLD severity significantly impacting PD beyond these variables. Conclusion: These findings highlight the strong link between SLDs and PD, particularly emphasizing the role of reading and writing difficulties in contributing to psychological distress. Moreover, the subjective severity of the SLD predicted PD beyond gender and age within the SLD group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Human sexuality courses are offered at most universities. Students often bring a breadth of experiences and a need for emotional processing of these narratives into these courses as it relates to course content. The purpose of this study was to expand research exploring emerging adults' sexuality narratives to be inclusive of positive stories. Methods: Guided by a semi-structured questionnaire, 113 students from two USA universities reflected in 2017 on their sexual history using an established educational activity asking students about their "best" and "worst" sexual experiences. Results: Qualitative analysis resulted in five themes describing their "Best" and four themes describing their "Worst" sexual experiences and one theme with dual meaning. "Best of" was highlighted by student themes of romance, beyond intercourse, emotional intimacy, listening, and safety. "Worst of" was highlighted by themes of physical health factors, alcohol and/or substance use/misuse factors, exploitation and victimization, and feelings of shame. The dual meaning theme of firsts emerged in both best of and worst of. Conclusions: Findings suggest that human sexuality courses must consider students' lived experiences. Further, we propose a call-to-action for clinically trained mental health professionals, such as social workers, as sexuality educators. Policy Implications: Universities should incorporate sexual health education policies that acknowledge students who bring a collection of sexuality stories to learning spaces. Centering a student's sexual voice also would support campus programs, policies, and interventions that benefit students. Finally, policies that guide professional accreditation of social work university programs to include sexual wellness content in the curricula are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Emerging adults are underrepresented in standard behavioral weight loss interventions (BWLIs). Offering BWLIs in college health centers may help to address obesity in emerging adulthood by reducing student barriers associated with participation; however, implementation barriers and facilitators for health centers are unknown. Methods: Health services center administrators and providers (n = 14) and students eligible to participate in a BWLI (n = 9, average BMI = 29.8 ± 4.2 kg/m2) participated in semi‐structured interviews. Interviews focused on the need for and appropriateness of BWLIs in health centers and perceived barriers and facilitators to their implementation. Results: Participants generally believed that BWLIs delivered through a health center were appropriate and indicated that BWLIs would be a beneficial offering on‐campus. Facilitators of health center implementation included availability of trained health professionals, intradepartmental relationships, supportive infrastructure and resources, and in‐house planning and execution. Barriers included limited student use and knowledge of health center offerings, narrow referral/recruitment pathways related to stigma concerns, and challenges related to infrastructure, resources, and competing demands. Conclusions: College health centers are a feasible and appropriate setting to offer BWLIs, though barriers to implementation exist. It will be important to construct a plan for implementation to address unique barriers in health centers prior to BWLI implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the link between parent-emerging adult relationship quality and emerging adult physical health outcomes. In addition, mediators and moderators of these links were explored. The sample consisted of 869 college students (ages 18–25 years) who completed online anonymous surveys. Results indicated that high levels of parent-emerging adult openness were significantly related to low levels of emerging adult health problems. In addition, parental involvement was negatively and significantly related to emerging adult body mass index and health problems. Mediation analyses conducted through structural equation modeling demonstrated that parent-emerging adult relationship quality was indirectly (but not directly) related to youth health outcomes via emerging adult internalizing symptoms (but not via emotion regulation). Moreover, there was no evidence for significant gender differences, therefore the overall pattern of findings were similar for women and men. Implications for interventions focusing on parent-emerging adult relationships and emotion regulation were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caring for a parent during emerging adulthood may be a disruptive and non-normative experience. Despite the growing prevalence of emerging adult (EA) caregivers, there remains limited research. We explored the experiences of EAs caring for parents living with advanced disease. Interviews were conducted with 12 EA daughters and analyzed using constructivist grounded theory. The core category was identified as negotiating accelerated adulthood, a dynamic interplay between feeling more of an adult than before and the paradoxical feeling of I'm not where I should be. Prior to the core category, participants' caregiving role is assumed. Availability of support influenced participants' process of negotiating accelerated adulthood. Findings highlight the uniqueness and developmental impact of this experience. Results suggest an interplay of different factors with how the role is assumed, appraised, and experienced by EA daughters. Greater awareness of these experiences may inform the development of tailored interventions and strategies for EA caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitioning successfully into the workforce is an essential step toward adulthood; yet there are significant challenges many emerging adults face. In Sweden, there is a noticeable gap in research concerning the perspectives of these individuals, particularly regarding their barriers and support needs. To bridge this knowledge gap, a qualitative study was conducted, involving semi-structured interviews with 22 Swedish emerging adults who were neither employed nor engaged in education or training (NEET). The aim was to delve deeper into their views on the necessary personal and systemic support to secure employment or pursue further education. The analysis revealed three main themes: Flawed capabilities, Support systems, and Emerging adults' determination. While the participants acknowledged the benefits of personal and systemic support, they also expressed that obstacles within these support structures hindered their progress towards employment or education. Reducing these barriers could significantly enhance the prospects for NEET young adults to obtain work or continue their education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Weight control behaviors are commonly observed among adolescents and emerging adults. However, the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in both these age groups remains an imperative health concern. Adolescents and emerging adults represent the most vulnerable groups facing the health burden of obesity. Methods: This study was designed to articulate the underlying beliefs concerning weight control behaviors among adolescents and emerging adults living with obesity by an elicitation qualitative study based on the integrated behavioral model (IBM). Semi-structured and individual interviewing was utilized. Eligible participants were recruited during September and November 2020. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a hybrid inductive and deductive content analysis approach. Results: Twenty-seven participants, comprising 12 adolescents and 15 emerging adults living with obesity, were interviewed to explore their beliefs and strategies regarding weight control behaviors. Emerging adults were more likely to engage in extreme weight control methods. Three overarching themes emerged across both age groups: eating-centered concerns, focus on physical appearance, and social interference. Significant differences were noted while adolescents and emerging adults shared some common beliefs. Emerging adults expressed more economic concerns about weight control, whereas adolescents identified food restriction as the primary barrier to their weight management efforts. These findings highlight the nuanced differences in beliefs about the weight control practice of these two developmental groups. Conclusion: More beliefs-tailored and theoretically driven interventions are needed for these two unique age groups. Healthcare providers should address dietary and economic concerns while engaging adolescents and emerging adults in weight management. Future obesity interventions should incorporate shared and unique beliefs identified in each group to promote healthy weight management effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is generally understood that individuals who experience exposure to parental violence (EPV) during childhood may come to perpetrate violence, but not all will. Research has shown that individuals who experience EPV can model maladaptive modes of problem‐solving that can later be seen in sibling relationships as aggression. This can lead to a heightened risk of adulthood intimate partner violence perpetration (IPV). This study aimed to examine the mediating role of proactive and reactive sibling aggression in the associations of three forms of childhood EPV—violence directed from mother‐to‐father, father‐to‐mother, bidirectional—and perpetration of sexual and physical IPV types during adulthood. Participants were 322 emerging adults in the age range 18–29 years (M = 24.69, SD = 2.91; 182 female) recruited online via Amazon's Mechanical Turk. Findings indicated that our sample endorsed bidirectional EPV (41.3%), proactive sibling aggression (87.2%) and reactive sibling aggression (94.7%) in childhood. In adulthood, they endorsed physical IPV (20.8%) and sexual IPV (22.7%). The mediation model indicated that those who had bidirectional EPV were more likely to engage in proactive aggression, which was associated with engagement in physical perpetration of IPV, and sexual perpetration of IPV. Findings suggest the need for intervention programs during childhood in those with exposure to parental violence and sibling proactive aggression. Key Practitioner Messages: Exposure to parental violence in childhood was most observed in a bidirectional nature as opposed to mother‐to‐father only and father‐to‐mother only violence.Individuals who are exposed to parental violence during childhood were found to engage in aggressive behaviour with siblings and were more likely to perpetrate future intimate partner violence.Interventions that emphasize the teaching of prosocial skills, emotion identification and regulation and conflict resolution may be effective in preventing or ameliorating aggression in sibling dyads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this literature review was to understand the current practices and gaps in HIV prevention for the emerging adult population in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and to review the current state of mHealth in SSA and how this innovative approach can be tapped to enhance HIV awareness and prevention among emerging adults. Peer reviewed articles about HIV prevention in emerging adults in SSA were searched in PubMed, Global Health, CINAHL, PsycInfo and Web of Science databases. Specific criteria for eligibility included studies that were published over the last decade spanning from 2009 to 2019. A total of 114 articles were found, which met the preliminary search criteria, which was then followed by a quality check, and finally, 20 articles were synthesized. The review followed the scientific process of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Four themes were identified included factors that place emerging adults at increased risk for HIV, the social and structural drivers of acquisition and transmission of HIV, current gaps in understanding HIV prevention and the current state of mHealth in SSA. Our discussion includes how mHealth can be tapped to enhance HIV awareness and prevention among emerging adults. HIV is still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among SSA emerging adults. Addressing this burden will require renewed efforts to implement effective prevention strategies across multiple sectors, including educational, information technology, social, policy and health care systems that influence prevention knowledge, services and treatment options for emerging adults.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although parental threatening behaviors are associated with poor mental health outcomes among college students, the underlying mechanisms of this relationship are understudied. This investigation examined the underlying role of perceived anxiety control in the association between childhood exposure to maternal threatening behaviors and depression, worry, and attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) symptoms. Participants: Participants (N = 862; Mage = 18.75 years, SD = 1.04, age range = 18–24) were recruited from a large state university in the northeast. Methods: Participants completed a battery of self-report questionnaires. Results: Tests of indirect effects indicated that greater childhood exposure to maternal threats was associated with lower perceived anxiety control, which in turn was associated with more severe depression, worry, and ADHD symptoms, respectively. Conclusions: Childhood exposure to maternal threatening behaviors may contribute to college students' low perceived anxiety control, which in turn increases the risk for these symptom clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The current study sought to clarify and harness the incremental validity of emotional dysregulation and unawareness (EDU) in emerging adulthood, beyond ADHD symptoms and with respect to concurrent classification of impairment and co-occurring problems, using machine learning techniques. Method: Participants were 1,539 college students (M age = 19.5, 69% female) with self-reported ADHD diagnoses from a multisite study who completed questionnaires assessing ADHD symptoms, EDU, and co-occurring problems. Results: Random forest analyses suggested EDU dimensions significantly improved model performance (p s <.001) in classifying participants with impairment and internalizing problems versus those without, with the resulting ADHD + EDU classification model demonstrating acceptable to excellent performance (except in classification of Work Impairment) in a distinct sample. Variable importance analyses suggested inattention sum scores and the Limited Access to Emotional Regulation Strategies EDU dimension as the most important features for facilitating model classification. Conclusion: Results provided support for EDU as a key deficit in those with ADHD that, when present, helps explain ADHD's co-occurrence with impairment and internalizing problems. Continued application of machine learning techniques may facilitate actuarial classification of ADHD-related outcomes while also incorporating multiple measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to understand how and why emerging adults come into contact with food media messages, and what they perceive as positive and negative outcomes related to food literacy. Seven focus groups, stratified by gender and socio-economic status, with 37 emerging adults aged between 18 and 25 were conducted. Photovoice was used to reflect on participants' real-life food media experiences. Findings reveal that food media consumption is a combination of actively searching and incidentally encountering. The results suggest that food media messages attract emerging adults' attention by bringing content in an entertaining, engaging, and appealing way, and featuring popular food personalities. Finally, food media messages were perceived to both enhance and distort food literacy. The results show how food media messages for food literacy interventions can be designed in order to attract emerging adults' attention and fulfill their specific needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging adults present an array of developmental needs that community supervision agencies should address to improve outcomes including impulsivity, inability to regulate emotions, and being less likely to consider future consequences of their behavior. This study used a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the Hidalgo County Emerging Adult Strategy (HCEAS)�a specialized caseload for emerging adults using principles of goal setting, incentives, and identity and relationship formation. This study examines how HCEAS influences progress on stability measures and probation outcomes, and how stability measure progress affects probation success. Analyses showed that HCEAS was effective in increasing either within- or between-group progress for every stability measure except education. HCEAS decreased outcomes such as arrests, motions to revoke, and failures to appear for probation office visits. These outcomes suggest that an age-specific focus on stability factors is feasible during supervision and likely to result in improved outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced widespread stigma toward individuals who contracted the virus, impacting social interactions and perceptions within communities. This study aimed to understand personal and perceived parental stigma toward COVID-19 survivors among Indian college students, examining how this stigma varies based on the relationship closeness to the survivor (peer vs. best friend) and whether gender differences influence personal stigma levels. A sample of 650 Indian college students (mean age = 20.01 years, SD = 1.43; 501 males) participated in the study. We assessed both personal stigma and perceived parental stigma toward COVID-19 survivors, with additional comparisons made based on the survivor's relationship to the student (peer vs. best friend) and participant gender. Findings indicated that personal and perceived parental stigma were significantly higher toward peers than toward best friends who had recovered from COVID-19. Additionally, among perceived parental stigmas, stigma attributed to mothers was highest, followed by that attributed to fathers, with participants' personal stigma being lowest. Notably, no significant gender differences were found in personal stigma among participants. The results highlight nuanced perceptions of stigma toward COVID-19 survivors, with stigma levels varying by relational closeness and perceived parental attitudes, particularly mothers. These findings underscore the importance of targeting stigma reduction efforts, considering family influence and relational factors. Policymakers and mental health professionals could develop age-specific interventions to mitigate stigma toward COVID-19 survivors, potentially enhancing social support systems within college communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socioeconomic status (SES) has a profound impact on emerging adults' mental health. However, it remains unknown how SES links to positive mental health (PMH). The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between SES and PMH, while also examining the potential impacts of relative deprivation, thwarted belongingness, and meaning in life (ML). Recruited from one university in southwest China, 1,250 university students completed online self-measures of SES, relative deprivation, thwarted belongingness, ML, and PMH. The findings revealed that SES went along with less relative deprivation and thwarted belongingness, and went along with higher levels of ML and PMH. Further analyses based on Structural Equation Modeling indicated that relative deprivation and thwarted belongingness served as mediators in the relationship between SES and PMH. The aforementioned findings offer empirical support for the chain mediation model "SES - relative deprivation - thwarted belongingness - PMH". Additionally, moderated mediation analyses revealed that ML moderated the negative impact of thwarted belongingness on PMH. Consequently, this study contributes to enhancing our comprehension of how SES is linked to PMH and highlights the protective role of ML among Chinese emerging adults. This study suggests that intervention measures should prioritize emerging adults with low SES and a lack of ML to promote their PMH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extensive research indicates that individuals with learning disabilities are more prone to experiencing heightened levels of emotional difficulties and distress. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between specific learning disabilities (SLDs) and psychological distress (PD), particularly focusing on the predictive power of difficulties in reading, writing, and arithmetic on PD, while also considering the effects of gender and age. Methods: The sample consisted of 133 participants (73 male) aged 23–44 years (M = 34.41, SD = 9.69), with 56 officially diagnosed with an SLD. The participants completed an online survey comprising a demographics questionnaire, a self-report SLD questionnaire, and psychological distress assessment using the K6 scale. Results: The participants with SLDs reported higher PD levels than the general population, with significant correlations between difficulties in reading, writing, and arithmetic and PD. Reading and writing difficulties were stronger predictors of PD than arithmetic difficulties. Additionally, the women and younger adults reported more PD, with the SLD severity significantly impacting PD beyond these variables. Conclusion: These findings highlight the strong link between SLDs and PD, particularly emphasizing the role of reading and writing difficulties in contributing to psychological distress. Moreover, the subjective severity of the SLD predicted PD beyond gender and age within the SLD group.

Abstract Background The long-lasting consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological well-being of young people have become an emerging research topic, which still raises several questions for post-pandemic interventions at the individual and community levels. This research investigated the relationship between COVID-19 pandemic life events and the occurrence of binge eating behaviors in emerging adults, hypothesizing indirect effects of the emotional impact of pandemic events and social anxiety. Methods Data collection was conducted in November and December 2021 in Italy, involving 286 university students aged 18 to 30 years (M age = 20.20; SD age = 2.43; 69.6% women) who completed an online anonymous survey. Participants reported the pandemic-related stressors experienced in the last year (i.e., adverse life events; the number of days in quarantine), the long-lasting emotional impact of these experiences in the previous week (i.e., intrusive thoughts; avoidance of thoughts), social anxiety symptoms, and frequency of binge eating episodes. A serial mediation model was tested in line with the research hypotheses. Results Both the number of days in quarantine and the pandemic adverse life events in the last year were significantly and positively related to binge eating via the sequential indirect effects of (1) intrusive thoughts and (2) social anxiety. Conclusion Our findings provide support for the long-lasting effects of pandemic events and quarantine on emerging adults’ mental health, with cascade effects on intrusive symptoms, social anxiety, and binge eating. The study has interesting research, practice, and public health policies implications.

Abstract This study explored how emerging adults processed the COVID-19 pandemic based on their identity, mental well-being, and political ideology. Participants (N = 231; M age = 20.3; SD = 1.36) completed an online survey with five ordered measures: Dimensions of Identity Development Scale, pandemic processing narratives, pandemic experience questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-8, and political ideology and demographic questionnaire. Analyses revealed that individuals with poorer mental well-being and/or more liberal political ideology self-reported more negative effects of the pandemic on their lives. Yet, aspects of emerging adults’ identity development were associated with positive interpretation of experiences during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: Greater ‘exploration in breadth’ and ‘identification with commitment’ positively predicted redemptive arcs (finding the positive) in narratives about the pandemic. Finally, political ideology was an important factor in emerging adults’ experience of the pandemic. Notably, conservative participants self-reported better mental well-being, fewer negative effects of the pandemic, and higher levels of identity commitment. Yet, conservative participants with high levels of ‘commitment making’ were less likely to find the positive when writing about negative events. Whereas, greater ‘commitment making’ reduced the likelihood of redemptive arcs when writing about a negative event, but only for those with a conservative political ideology. Together these results suggest that aspects of identity development may be protective when emerging adults face challenges and individual factors (e.g., well-being and political ideology) can also exert effects on emerging adults’ ability to navigate global and political crises.