Psychosocial and Health Behavior Outcomes of Young Adults with Asthma or Diabetes

Jerica M Berge ,Kara Nicole Denny ,Katherine W Bauer ,Marla E Eisenberg ,Dianne Neumark‐Sztainer

doi:10.4172/2161-0711.1000144

Jerica M Berge , Kara Nicole Denny + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-0711.1000144

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Abstract

Previous research has shown a relationship between childhood/adolescent chronic conditions and negative health behaviors, psychological outcomes, and social outcomes. Less is known about whether these negative outcomes are experienced by young adults with chronic health conditions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how young adults' BMI, health behaviors, and psychological and social outcomes differ depending on whether they have diabetes, asthma, or neither of these chronic conditions. Data were drawn from the third wave of Project EAT-III: Eating and Activity in Young Adults, a population-based study of 2287 young adults (mean age = 25.3; range 19.8 - 31.2). General linear models were used to test differences in BMI, health behaviors (e.g., fast food intake) and psychosocial outcomes (e.g. depressive symptoms) by young adults' chronic disease status. Young adults with diabetes had higher BMIs, engaged in less physical activity and more unhealthy weight control behaviors and binge eating, had lower self-esteem and lower body satisfaction, and experienced more depressive symptoms and appearance-based teasing compared to young adults with asthma or no chronic conditions, after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, socio-economic status (SES) and, when relevant, for BMI. There were no significant differences between young adults with asthma and young adults with no chronic condition on all of the psychosocial and health behavior outcomes. Young adults with diabetes reported higher prevalence of negative health behaviors and psychosocial outcomes. Providers may find it useful to assess for negative health behaviors and psychosocial variables with young adults with diabetes in order to improve treatment and quality of life for these individuals.

Highlights

There is a well-established literature looking at the relationship between having a chronic health condition during childhood and adolescence and the experience of negative health behaviors, psychological outcomes, and social outcomes
Young adults with diabetes had higher BMIs, engaged in less physical activity and more unhealthy weight control behaviors and binge eating, had lower self-esteem and lower body satisfaction, and experienced more depressive symptoms and appearance-based teasing compared to young adults with asthma or no chronic conditions, after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES) and, when relevant, for BMI
There were no significant differences between young adults with asthma and young adults with no chronic condition on all of the psychosocial and health behavior outcomes

Summary

Introduction

There is a well-established literature looking at the relationship between having a chronic health condition during childhood and adolescence and the experience of negative health behaviors (e.g. less fruit and vegetable intake), psychological outcomes (e.g. depressive symptoms, lower self-esteem), and social outcomes (e.g. being teased). The few studies that have looked at health behaviors and psychosocial outcomes among young adults with chronic health conditions have shown that while young adults with chronic conditions were as likely to be married and have children compared to young adults without chronic conditions, they were more likely to be of lower socio-economic status (SES) and receive public assistance, and less likely to graduate from high school or be employed.[5, 8] As these studies have focused primarily on socio-demographic differences, additional research is needed to understand whether young adults with chronic conditions are differentially likely to experience other negative outcomes such as higher BMI, less healthful behaviors (e.g. unhealthy dietary intake, less physical activity), more psychological problems, and increased social stigma. Further study of young adults with chronic conditions is needed to understand whether previous findings related to socio-economic outcomes are consistent across studies

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