Is nicotine vaping associated with subsequent initiation of cannabis or other substances from adolescence into young adulthood?

Prior studies estimating longitudinal associations between nicotine vaping and subsequent initiation of cannabis and other substances (e.g., cocaine, heroin) have been limited by short follow-up periods, convenience sampling, and possibly inadequate confounding control. We sought to address some of these gaps using the nationally representative Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (PATH) to estimate longitudinal associations between nicotine vaping and the initiation of cannabis or other substances among adolescents transitioning to adulthood from2013 to 2019, adjusting for treatment-confounder feedback. Estimands like the longitudinal average treatment effect were not identified because of extensive practical positivity violations. Therefore, we estimated longitudinal incremental propensity score effects, which were identified. We found that reduced odds of nicotine vaping were associated with decreased risks of cannabis or other substance initiation; these associations strengthened over time. For example, by the final wave (2018-19), cannabis and other substance initiation risks were 6.2 (95%CI:4.6-7.7) and 1.8 (95%CI:0.4-3.2) percentage points lower when odds of nicotine vaping were reduced to be 90% lower in all preceding waves (2013-14 to 2016-18), as compared with observed risks. Strategies to lower nicotine vaping prevalence during this period may have resulted in fewer young people initiating cannabis and other substances.

Dietary Quality and Diet-Related Factors Among Emerging Adults (18-23 y) in the United States Are a Cause for Concern: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2018.

BACKGROUND: Poor dietary quality is a risk factor for diet-related chronic disease and suboptimal nutritional patterns often begin early in the life course. Although the dietary intakes of young children, adolescents, and middle-aged and older adults are well established, much less is known about emerging adults, who represent a unique time point in life, as they are undergoing significant changes in food environments, autonomy, finances, and caregiver and parental involvement. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine dietary quality, as assessed via the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), by demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics among emerging adults (18-23 y) in the United States who participated in the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). METHODS: NHANES data were collected via a household interview and 2 24-h dietary recalls (24HR). Usual dietary intakes from the 24HRs were approximated using the multivariate National Cancer Institute Method to compute mean HEI-2015 overall and component scores (range: 0-100; higher scores indicating higher dietary quality). RESULTS: Overall dietary quality among emerging adults (HEI-2015: 50.3 ± 1.3) was significantly lower than other adults (≥24 y) (HEI-2015: 56.3 ± 0.5; P < 0.0001) in the United States, with differences primarily driven by lower intakes of whole fruit, vegetables, and whole grains and higher intakes of sodium, refined grains, and saturated fat. Few differences in HEI-2015 scores were noted across population subgroups by sex, food security, family income, and food assistance program participation, except for added sugar; intakes of added sugar were significantly higher among women, food insecure, and food assistance program participants than those in their counterparts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary quality is poor among emerging adults in the United States and persists across all population subgroups, suggesting a significant need for tailored public health interventions to improve dietary quality among this population. Future research investigating to what extent emerging adults prioritize healthful behaviors and exploring other indicators for identifying nutritionally vulnerable subgroups may be impactful for identifying disparities among this life stage.

Engaging Diverse African American/Black and Latine Youth and Emerging Adults Living with HIV into Research: Description of Recruitment Strategies and Lessons Learned.

Improving engagement along the HIV care continuum and reducing racial/ethnic disparities are necessary to end the HIV epidemic. Research on African American/Black and Latine (AABL) younger people living with HIV (LWH) is essential to this goal. However, a number of key subgroups are challenging to locate and engage, and are therefore under-represented in research. Primary among these are persons with non-suppressed HIV viral load, severe socioeconomic disadvantage, transgender/gender expansive identities, and refugee/migrant/immigrant populations. Research in community settings is needed to complement studies conducted in medical institutions. The present study describes the efficiency of recruitment strategies used in the community to enroll AABL young and emerging adults LWH ages 19-28 years. Strategies were designed to be culturally responsive and structurally salient. They were: peer-to-peer, social media, classified advertisements (newspaper, craigslist), subway ads, dating apps (Jack'd, Positive Singles), and direct recruitment in community-based organizations. Data were analyzed using mainly descriptive statistics and interpreted using a consensus building approach. We screened 575 individuals in a first step, 409 were eligible (71%), of these 297 presented to the second screening step (73%), but 112 were lost. Almost all presenting at the second step were eligible (98%, 291/297) and 94% enrolled (274/291). Peer-to-peer, dating app (Jack'd), direct recruitment, and craigslist were the most efficient strategies. Recruitment on dating apps was superior to the peer-to-peer approach in yielding eligible participants (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 0.98-2.3; p = 0.06). The sample enrolled was diverse with respect to HIV viral suppression, gender identify, sexual orientation, immigration status, and barriers to HIV care engagement. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy. Recruitment is a vital aspect of research and warrants attention in the empirical literature.

Emerging Adults' Perspectives on Consensually Nonmonogamous Parenting.

Consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) is increasingly recognized as a relevant aspect of family and relational diversity in the USA, but CNM-parenting is still perceived as a taboo topic. Pioneering research has only started to emerge and reveals persisting notions of regulation, discrimination, and stigmatization of CNM-parents. CNM-stigmatization is less prevalent among emerging adults, but it is unclear whether young adults' increasing acceptance of CNM relationships extends to their views on parenting. To explore emerging adults' perspectives on CNM-parenting, we conducted a mixed-method study with a diverse sample of 107 US-American college students. Each participant read four relationship-vignettes (monogamy, CNM-polyamory, CNM-open relationship, CNM-swinging) in randomized order, provided ratings for the perceived parenting capabilities of the described partners and described reasons for those ratings in short essays. On average, participants perceived the monogamous partners as more capable of raising children than the CNM partners. LGBTQ + participants perceived CNM-parents, especially polyamorous and swinging partners, as more capable for parenthood than did heterosexual participants. There were no significant differences in response patterns between males and females. In their essays, participants discussed their views on how the different relationship structures might affect parenting and what they perceived as indicators and conditions for successful parenting. The results of this study were interpreted relative to life-course perspectives of identity development, and relative to politico-economic perspectives on parental investment and sexual strategy theories. Implications are derived for sexuality education, research, and practice.

The Role of Feminism and Gender in Endorsement of Hookup Culture among Emerging Adults.

Hookup culture has transformed the sexual behavior of emerging adults. Feminism, a movement that has advocated for liberating women from sexual repression, may be associated with hookup endorsement attitudes. This study explores the associations among multiple dimensions of feminism, gender, and hookup culture endorsement. Participants included 318 emerging adults (46% women; Mage = 22.2 years; 51% White, 27% Asian, 5% Hispanic/Latinx, 9% Black, 1% Middle Eastern, 1% American Indian, 6% Multiracial) from five Anglophone countries (62% U.S., 23% United Kingdom, 9% Canada, 5% Australia, 1% New Zealand), who completed the Feminist Beliefs and Behavior Scale and Endorsement of Hookup Culture Index via an anonymous, online survey. Participants were categorized according to their feminist identity label (feminist, non-feminist) and feminist belief system (hold feminist beliefs, hold non-feminist beliefs). A series of ANCOVAs was conducted, revealing that women who identified as feminist and/or held feminist beliefs reported significantly higher endorsement of hookup culture compared to non-feminist women with non-feminist beliefs. Neither dimension of feminism predicted hookup culture endorsement in men. When comparing feminist-identifying women and men, the gender disparity in hookup culture endorsement was eliminated. Together, these findings highlight how social movements, such as feminism, may be associated with young women's attitudes towards hookups, and may ultimately shape their sexual experiences.

Risk Factors for Non-Consensual Sexting Among Adolescents and Emerging Adults: An Extension of the Routine Activity Theory Perspective.

Adolescence and emerging adulthood are developmental phases in which the exploration of one's own sexuality takes on a high priority, which can increase the risk of risky sexual behavior. Due to technological advances, (non-consensual) sexting has increased among young people and has become an integral part of their sexual socialization. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to examine non-consensual sexting (both victimization and perpetration) among adolescents and emerging adults and to identify potential risk factors associated with non-consensual sexting using routine activity theory. The sample consisted of a total of 3514 adolescents aged 10-17 years (43% males; 57% females) and 3674 emerging adults aged 18-25 years (23% males; 77% females) from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. The results showed that both male adolescents and emerging adults were at higher risk for experiencing non-consensual sexting victimization. Personal factors such as gender, age, social bond, and routine cell phone activity predicted the risk of becoming a victim of non-consensual sexting in adolescents. For emerging adults, gender, social connection to friends, and routine cell phone use predicted the risk of becoming a victim of non-consensual sexting. Relationship status and routine cell phone activity predicted the forwarding of other sexts for both age groups. According to international scientific research and the findings of this particular study, we can conclude that the study of personal factors and routine variables helps understand non-consensual sexting among youth but is also essential in planning educational resources and preventive activities.

A social media intervention for high-intensity drinking among emerging adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: High-intensity drinking (HID) is a pattern of risky drinking defined as at least 8 drinks (for women) or 10 drinks (for men) in a single episode. Individuals engaged in HID may be at greater risk for consequences, necessitating tailored interventions. Herein, we report the feasibility and acceptability of a social media-delivered 8-week intervention for emerging adults with recent HID. METHODS: Using social media advertising, we recruited 102 emerging adults who reported past-month HID. Average age was 20.0 year-olds (SD = 2.0); 51.0% were male. Most identified as White (64.7%; 14.7% Black/African American, 13.7% multiracial) and 26.5% identified as Hispanic/Latinx. Participants were randomized to an 8-week intervention delivered via Snapchat by health coaches (N = 50) or to a control condition (psychoeducational website referral; N = 52). Follow-ups occurred at 2 and 4 months post-baseline. RESULTS: The intervention was acceptable (85.1% liked it/liked it a lot) and there were high follow-up rates. Participants rated coaches as supportive (91.5%) and respectful (93.6%). Descriptively, helpfulness ratings were higher for non-alcohol-related content (e.g. stress; 59.6% very/extremely helpful) than alcohol-related content (40.4% very/extremely helpful). Regarding engagement, 86.0% engaged approximately weekly and 59.6% indicated they saved intervention snaps. Descriptive data showed reductions over time in several measures of alcohol consumption and consequences as well as cannabis-impaired driving and mental health symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This 8-week social media intervention for HID was feasible and acceptable among emerging adults, supporting the benefit of future testing in a fully powered trial.

Exploring trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress in university students of different identity statuses in Lithuania and Japan.

Emerging adulthood is the time when identity questions are addressed. It is also a time of excessive stress and risk for mental health problems. Different identity statuses relate to different mental health outcomes. Yet, little research has addressed how identity status is interlinked with trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress reactions, especially in multicultural contexts. The current study aimed to explore whether different traumatic experiences are related to the current identity status of university students aged between 18 and 29 years and investigate to what extent trauma-exposed emerging adults of different identity statuses report symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD). In total, 2237 university students from Lithuania (n = 791) and Japan (n = 1345) participated in the current study. Identity profiles were revealed by using the Latent Class Analysis approach. Lithuania and Japan were comparable in terms of identity profiles and structure of PTSD/CPTSD. Trauma-exposed emerging adults reported a higher probability of being in troubled diffusion identity status; students in achievement identity status had a lower probability of CPTSD and lower rates of symptoms of disturbances in self-organization. The diffused identity of emerging adults from Lithuania and Japan is associated with trauma exposure, and positive identity is linked with fewer CPTSD reactions.

COVID-19 vaccine intentions and attitudes in Black American emerging adults with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Emerging adults (aged 18-29) are less likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine than any other adult age group. Black Americans are less likely than non-Hispanic white Americans to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This study explored factors which affect vaccine intention and attitudes in Black American emerging adults with asthma. METHODS: Participants were recruited from an NHLBI-funded clinical trial to improve asthma control. Fifty-nine Black American emerging adults completed a Qualtrics survey that assessed asthma control, intention to vaccinate, and factors which may affect the decision to vaccinate. Twenty-five participants also completed a semi-structured interview via Zoom. Bivariate correlations and descriptive statistics, including Chi Square analyses, were run using SPSS. Interview thematic analyses were conducted via QDA Miner. RESULTS: Of the 59 Black American emerging adults with asthma who completed surveys, 32.2% responded that they were highly unlikely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, while 50.8% responded that they were highly likely to receive it. Increased asthma control was significantly correlated with a higher likelihood to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine with their healthcare provider (ρ = 0.339, α = 0.011). Concerns about immediate (ρ= -0.261, α = 0.050) and long-term (ρ= -0.280, α = 0.035) side effects were inversely correlated with intention to vaccinate. Only 17% of the participants who were unemployed stated that they were highly likely to receive the vaccines compared to 65% of the participants who were employed; however, interview participants who were unemployed stated not needing the vaccine because they were protecting themselves by social distancing. When deciding whether to receive the vaccine, safety, efficacy, and immediate side effects were the top three factors for 91%, 54%, and 49% of the participants, respectively. Beliefs about the vaccines' safety and efficacy, information gathering, personal factors, and societal factors emerged as important themes from the interviews. CONCLUSION: Only half of the surveyed Black American emerging adults with asthma were highly likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Safety and efficacy were important for the majority of the participants, regardless of vaccine intention. Greater asthma control, but not access to asthma-related healthcare, was correlated with intention to discuss the vaccine with their healthcare provider.

Global stress and daily general and type 1 diabetes stressors and links to daily affect and diabetes outcomes during emerging adulthood.

We examined how global stress and general stressors of daily life relate to emotional well-being and type 1 diabetes (T1D) outcomes and amplify the effects of diabetes stressors in emerging adults. Two-hundred and seven 18-19-year-olds with T1D (duration 8.47 years) completed the Perceived Stress Scale (global stress) and a daily diary assessing daily diabetes and general stressors, positive and negative affect, self-care behaviors, and blood glucose (BG). Multi-level analyses indicated that global stress and within-person daily general and diabetes stressors were associated with more negative and less positive affect. In addition, general stress (between-person) was associated with more negative affect. Global stress amplified the association between daily diabetes stressors and negative affect, with greater affect reactivity to stress for those experiencing higher global stress. Global stress and both within- and between-person diabetes stressors were associated with lower self-care and higher BG. Emerging adults' general stressors in their daily lives relate to poorer well-being beyond the experience of diabetes stressors.

Developing messages to encourage healthy, sustainable dietary substitutions: A qualitative study with US emerging adults.

Prior research shows that adopting simple dietary substitutions (e.g., replacing beef with poultry or plant-based entrees) can improve dietary quality and reduce the negative environmental consequences of food production, but little is known about how to encourage people to adopt these substitutions. This study aimed to examine reactions to messages encouraging healthy, sustainable dietary substitutions among emerging adults ages 18-25. We conducted four online focus groups with a diverse sample of US emerging adults (n = 28; 61% female). Focus groups explored emerging adults' reactions to messages encouraging them to adopt three target dietary substitutions: replacing beef and pork with poultry and plant-based entrees; replacing juice with whole fruit; and replacing dairy milk with non-dairy milk. We transcribed discussions verbatim and adopted a thematic approach to analyzing the transcripts. Results showed that participants perceived messages to be most effective at encouraging the target dietary substitutions when the messages: encouraged specific, achievable dietary changes; linked these dietary changes to clear consequences; included personally relevant content; included statistics; were succinct; and used a positive tone. Across the target dietary substitutions, two message topics (small changes, big benefits, which emphasized how small dietary changes can have large positive health and environmental impacts, and warning, which discussed the negative health and environmental impacts of dietary choices) were generally perceived to be most effective. A few participants expressed doubt that the target dietary substitutions would have meaningful environmental impacts. Results suggest that campaign messages to encourage healthy, sustainable dietary substitutions may be more effective if the messages make the target dietary substitutions seem achievable and use statistics to clearly describe the positive impacts of making these changes.

Recent stressful life events and identity development in emerging adults: An examination of within-person effects.

OBJECTIVE: To examine longitudinal associations among stressful life events and identity processess in emerging adults while accounting for within-person and between-person effects. BACKGROUND: Theoretical perspectives suggest that stressful life events may impact one's identity (i.e., coherent sense of self), but few studies have considered how changes in stressful life events are associated with changes within an individual's identity development over time (within-person effects). METHODS:  Recent stressful life events (i.e., academic problems, friendship problems, romantic problems, and time pressure) and the processes through which identity develops (e.g., exploring in breadth and depth) were examined longitudinally (T1-T3) in a sample of emerging adults (N = 1125, Mage = 17.96 years). RESULTS: Random-intercept cross-lagged modeling demonstrated that at the between-person level, emerging adults with greater academic and friendship problems, as well as more time pressures (relative to their counterparts), tended to engage in greater ruminative exploration. Further, those with more academic problems tended to demonstrate weaker commitment-making and exploration in breadth and depth (relative to their counterparts). Within-person increases in romantic problems predicted lower commitment-making and higher ruminative exploration over time. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that romantic problems may predict within-person changes in identity processes, whereas academic problems, friendship problems, and time pressure may be more concurrently related to identity development.

Unique and interactive effects of threat and deprivation on latent trait cortisol among emerging adults.

Though considerable work supports the Dimensional Model of Adversity and Psychopathology, prior research has not tested whether the dimensions-threat (e.g., abuse) and deprivation (e.g., neglect)-are uniquely related to salivary trait indicators of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis activity. We examined the unique and interactive effects of threat and deprivation on latent trait cortisol (LTC)-and whether these effects were modified by co-occurring adversities. Emerging adults (n = 90; Mage = 19.36 years; 99.88% cisgender women) provided salivary cortisol samples four times a day (waking, 30 min and 45 min postwaking, bedtime) over three 3-day measurement waves over 13 weeks. Contextual life stress interviews assessed early adversity. Though the effects varied according to the conceptualization of early adversity, overall, threat-but not deprivation, nor other co-occurring adversities-was uniquely associated with the across-wave LTC. Specifically, the incidence and frequency of threat were each negatively related to the across-wave LTC. Threat severity was also associated with the across-wave LTC, but only among those with no deprivation. Finally, the effects of threat were modified by other co-occurring adversities. Findings suggest that threat has unique implications for individual differences in HPA axis activity among emerging adults, and that co-occurring adversities modify such effects.

Mixed Methods Evaluation of Satisfaction with Two Culturally Tailored Substance use Prevention Programs for American Indian/Alaska Native Emerging Adults.

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.

Mental and Physical Health-Related Cannabis Motives Mediate the Relationship between Childhood Trauma and Problematic Cannabis Use over Time among Emerging Adult Cannabis Users.

BACKGROUND: While growing evidence has identified mental and physical health-related cannabis use motives as significant mechanisms between childhood trauma and problematic cannabis use (PCU) for emerging adults (EA), there is a need to understand the longitudinal stability of these pathways and how they impact PCU as cannabis users age into later adulthood. METHODS: The current study extends an analysis examining the impact of childhood trauma (e.g., emotional abuse, sexual abuse) on multiple indicators of PCU through a range of cannabis use motives. 339 medical cannabis patient and non-patient EA users from the Los Angeles area were sampled at baseline (mean age = 21.23; SD = 2.48). The present analysis used four waves of follow-up data collected from 2016 to 2018 (W3, W4) and 2019-2020 (W5, W6). RESULTS: Use of cannabis to cope with nausea, sleep, pain, and emotional distress mediated the relationships between some types of childhood abuse and PCU at W4, though most associations attenuated by later adulthood (W6). Specifically, greater emotional distress and nausea motives were associated with greater PCU in models of emotional abuse and neglect and sexual abuse, with emotional distress continuing to mediate at W6. Conversely, sleep and pain motives were associated with lower PCU in models for emotional neglect. CONCLUSIONS: Mental and physical health-related motives reflect potential intervenable factors that predict PCU in emerging adulthood among EA cannabis users with histories of childhood trauma. Results highlight the importance of and value for assessing a wide range of motives and PCU outcomes to target and address areas for intervention.

The Differential Role of Perceived Same-Gender and Gender-Neutral Norms in Emerging Adult Risk Behavior.

Background: Normative perceptions are strongly related to risk behaviors among emerging adults but the role of gender-specific normative perceptions remain unclear. Objectives: The current study examined the differential effects of same-gender and gender-neutral normative perceptions on self-reported substance use and sexual risk behavior. College students (n = 389, ages 18-25) reported binge drinking, cannabis use and prescription drug misuse, sexual risk behavior, and the perceived frequency of these behaviors by both the average- and same-gender adult. Results: Binge drinking was positively associated with same-gender norms only, whereas cannabis use and sexual risk behavior were also positively associated with gender-neutral norms perceptions. For binge drinking only, same-gender norms explained more variance in behavior than gender-neutral norms. Conclusions: Findings indicate perceptions of same-gender norms play a particularly important role in binge drinking during this developmental period. Interventions targeting emerging adult risk behavior should include within-group normative perceptions related to demographic and social group characteristics.

Normative Perceptions of Peer Drinking Distinguish High-Intensity Drinkers from Other Drinking Groups.

Background: High-intensity drinking (HID), or drinking that doubles the binge threshold (i.e., 8+/10+ drinks for women/men), is associated with more negative consequences than binge-only drinking. However, research focusing on HID and factors that may delineate HID from other drinking behaviors is lacking. The present study evaluated if perceived norms for peer drinking behavior (i.e., descriptive norms for alcohol quantity and frequency and injunctive norms) differentiated high-intensity drinkers from other drinker statuses. Further, we evaluated the role of perceived norms on odds of HID engagement and HID frequency. Finally, college status, sex, and underage drinker status were evaluated as moderators of the association between perceived norms and HID status/frequency. Methods: Participants were 623 emerging adult drinkers recruited via Craigslist (68.7% male; 69.0% White). Participants completed an online survey on their drinking behaviors and related social factors. Results: Each domain of perceived norms positively associated with drinker status. Higher perceived norms were associated with greater odds of HID and predicted HID frequency. The association between quantity and frequency descriptive norms and HID engagement was stronger for nonstudents and was only significant for males. Underage drinker status did not moderate associations between perceived norms and HID engagement. Conclusions: Findings provided evidence that perceptions of peer drinking behaviors are strong indicators of HID risk and may be especially useful for identifying high-intensity drinking males and nonstudents. The utility of perceived peer norms to differentiate this group of particularly risky drinkers suggests that social-influence-focused intervention approaches, including norms correction, may be efficacious in targeting HID among emerging adults.

Parenting practices and trajectories of proactive coping assets among emerging adult Black men.

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.

Longitudinal Associations among Identity Processes and Mental Health in Young Adulthood: The Mediating Role of Social Support.

Emerging adulthood (ages 18-25) is a period of identity exploration, particularly for young adults navigating the transition to post-secondary school. Little is known about how changes in identity exploration may be related to emerging adults' mental health, or the role of social support plays in identity-related processes. In the present study, associations among identity exploration, internalizing symptoms, and perceived social support were examined. Participants included a diverse group of emerging adults (N = 1,125, Mage = 17.96 years) studying at a Canadian university. Random-intercept cross-lagged modeling demonstrated that within-person increases in exploration in breadth predicted fewer depressive symptoms over time, whereas within-person increases in exploration in depth predicted more depressive and anxious symptoms over time. A mediation effect from perceived support from significant other to depressive symptoms via exploration in breadth was also evident. Findings suggest that identity exploratory processes may be developmentally relevant in emerging adulthood, but their implications for mental health may differ. Perceived social support is also meaningfully related to identity exploration and mental health.

A Daily Diary Study of the Relation between Stress and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and the Moderating Role of Emotion Dysregulation in Emerging Adulthood.

Research on exposure to stressors and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in daily life has been lacking, particularly among emerging adults (aged 18-25 years). The aim of this study was to determine whether daily stressors predicted same-day and next-day NSSI thoughts and engagement, and whether emotion dysregulation moderated this relation. Participants included 160 emerging adults (83% female, Mage = 19.75, SD = 1.8, 44% White, 22% East Asian, 11% South Asian, and 23% other) who completed a baseline assessment and 14 days of daily diary entries which resulted in 1982 daily assessments (median compliance = 86%; IQR = 12-14). It was found that daily stressors significantly predicted same-day, but not next-day, NSSI thoughts and engagement and this relation was more pronounced for individuals with greater emotion dysregulation. The present study provides new insight into when individuals may be most at risk for NSSI, as well as which individuals may be most vulnerable.