Impact of young adult life transitions on adult mental health problems: a propensity score analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mental health problems commonly persist from childhood to adulthood. This study tested whether young adult life transitions can improve adult mental health symptoms after adjusting for childhood mental health symptoms.

Methods

The analysis uses data from the prospective, representative Great Smoky Mountains Study. Life transitions (e.g., high school completion, partnering, parenthood, and living independently) were assessed up to three times in young adulthood (ages 18 to 26; 3,241 observations). A cumulative variable counted the number of young adult transitions. Emotional, substance use, and antisocial personality symptoms were assessed at age 30 (1,154 participants or 81.2% of the original sample). Propensity models adjusted for early life adversities and psych

SUBMITTER: Copeland WE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12094619 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature