Associations between tripartite dimensions of internalizing symptoms and transition readiness in a sample of emerging adults with and without chronic physical health conditions.

Abstract

Theoretical models note psychosocial functioning as a key influence on transition readiness skills (TRS) among emerging adults (EA), but little is known about the relative importance of unique vs. shared anxiety and depressive dimensions, operationalized according to Clark and Watson's (1991) tripartite model, in contributing to TRS. Moreover, although development of TRS is important for all EA, few studies have examined whether the strength of relationships between internalizing symptoms and TRS vary between EA with and without chronic physical health conditions (CHC). Given the links between suboptimal TRS and adverse health outcomes, additional research is needed. This study examined individual and additive associations between three internalizing symptom dimensions (anxious arousal, anhedonic depression, and general distress) and TRS, as well as the moderating role of CHC status. One hundred twenty-six EA completed an online survey measuring TRS and internalizing symptoms. The sample was 70.6% women, 39.7% of minoritized racial identity, and 21.2% Hispanic ethnicity. The mean participant age was 21.23 years. In two of three regression models, anhedonic depression alone was significantly related to TRS. CHC moderated the relationship between internalizing and TRS in only two of nine models. In both cases, internalizing symptoms were negatively associated with TRS for those without CHCs, but not for those with CHCs. Assessment of anhedonic depression may be particularly useful in identifying youth at risk for suboptimal TRS regardless of CHC status. Moreover, interventions such as behavioral activation to improve TRS skill attainment warrant additional investigation.