Adult College Research Articles

Links Between Academic Stress and Prosocial Outcomes: The Moderating Role of Maternal Support.

The goal of the current study was to examine the links between academic stress, maternal support, and three different forms of prosocial behaviors (i.e. in-group prosocial behaviors, out-group prosocial behaviors, and civic engagement). Additionally, we also examined the interactive effect between academic stress and maternal support on prosocial behaviors. Participants were 142 young adult college students (M age = 20.82 years; range = 18-25 years; 81.7% women; 65.2% reported identifying as racially White; 9.9% Black; 7.8% Asian; 5.7% Native; and 49.3% identified their ethnicity as Latino/a). Participants reported on their academic stress levels, perceptions of their maternal support, and their tendencies to engage in the three forms of prosocial behaviors. The results (see Figure 1) demonstrated that academic stress was not associated with prosocial outcomes. Maternal support was positively associated with in-group prosocial behaviors. There was also one significant interaction that emerged. The interaction between academic stress and maternal support positively predicted civic engagement, such that when maternal support was low, academic stress was positively associated with civic engagement. The discussion focuses on the nuanced associations between these variables, with a focus on the potentially protective role of civic engagement specifically for young adults seeking social connection and belonging.

Understanding Acts of Resistance Among Immigrant-Origin Emerging Adult College Students During the 2016 Election of Trump

With shifts in sociopolitical contexts marked by Trump’s 2016 election and increasing anti-immigrant discourse, the purpose of this study was to explore how immigrant-origin emerging adult college students define and engage in acts of resistance. In 2017, data were collected from 12 semi-structured focus group interviews at an urban Midwestern university. Our sample included 41 participants ( Mage = 20.11, SD = 1.35 years) with 32 female and five male participants. Twenty-four participants were born in the U.S., and 13 were first-generation immigrants. 44.2% percent of the participants identified as Asian ( n = 19), 27.9% as Hispanic/Latin@ ( n = 12), 11.6% as White ( n = 5), 7% as Black/African American ( n = 3), and 9.3% identified with multiple racial groups ( n = 4). Through a thematic analysis, we found that participants conceptualized resistance as standing up for themselves, engaging in protests, and unifying with others. Students noted the complicated role of family in facilitating and hindering their resistance and named competing responsibilities and a sense of vulnerability as major hindrances. Implications include developing ways to best support immigrant-origin emerging adult college students’ ability to engage in resistance to foster a critical consciousness and validate their identities, which can promote positive youth development.

Indirect Effects of Childhood Maltreatment on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms via Emotion Regulation Difficulties.

This study tested structural equation models of associations between childhood maltreatment (CM), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and emotion regulation (ER) difficulties in a sample of young adult college students (N = 606). The primary final model demonstrated that lack of emotional clarity and limited access to ER strategies partially mediated the association between CM and PTSD symptoms. Exploratory analyses showed that CM was also indirectly associated with PTSD symptoms via lack of emotional awareness, nonacceptance, and difficulty controlling impulses. A near-equivalent model revealed reverse associations: PTSD symptoms mediated the association between CM and ER difficulties. The current study provided some empirical evidence to the theoretical sequence of ER and replicated indirect effects of CM on PTSD symptoms via ER difficulties.

Use of the Baidu Index to Analyze Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Online Attention to Adult Education

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of public attention to "adult education" over the past decade. Methods: Using Baidu Index data from January 1, 2014, to November 1, 2024, we examined search trends, demand distribution, and user characteristics through trend research, demand mapping, and user profiling. Results: The online search index for adult education shows a fluctuating upward trend, with peaks in April and October each year. Demand mapping indicates interest in areas such as adult college entrance exams, self-study exams, educational institutions, exam schedules, registration, major selection, tuition, and application procedures. User profiling reveals higher attention from males aged 30~39 in Guangdong Province. Conclusion: Changes in online attention to adult education correlate closely with career aspirations, policy announcements, and social contexts.

Funds of Identity: Implications for Belonging Among Ethnically and Racially Minoritized Emerging Adult College Students

Guided by the funds of identity framework, this study explored how qualitative and quantitative data from the Multidimensional-Identities-Qualitative-Quantitative-Questionnaire (MiQ) and identity artifacts (e.g., self-portraits and self-narrative profiles) may be used pedagogically to draw out and draw on ethnically/racially minoritized emerging adult U.S. college students’ most meaningful and important identities and identity experiences in different contexts ( N = 5, ages 22–23). Findings indicate that minoritized students may draw on the most meaningful and important, including protective, adaptive, and valued identity dimensions to buffer against identity conflict, resist negative stereotyping, and maintain agency and resilience in developing and preserving a healthy self-view. Moreover, minoritized students may internalize their identities in reference to cultural master narratives and alternative narratives. Findings imply that a “whole person,” multimethod approach is necessary to draw out and draw on ethnically/racially minoritized students’ funds of identity in the classroom. Implications for utilizing the MiQ, self-portraits, and self-narrative profiles in the classroom to potentiate a sense of belonging are discussed.

Enhancing Intergenerational Connections: Exploring the Benefits for Older Adults and College Students in a Telephonic Reassurance Program

Loneliness is well documented as a major, yet preventable, risk factor for well-being among older adults that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly half of some countries’ older population experience loneliness, which significantly increases risks for dementia, heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety, hospitalization, and even hastened death. Utilizing socioemotional selectivity theory, the current study addresses. the inverse relationship between aging and social outlet availability by providing empirical data on the benefits of intergenerational programming. Data from adult–college student dyads who participated in a telephone reassurance program focused on reminiscence guiding were analyzed to determine outcomes of participation. Qualitative analyses revealed the emergence of themes surrounding familial/friendship bonds and self-discovery among adult participants and a rejuvenated appreciation for the little things in life as well as a sense of purpose from meaningful contributions among college student participants. Results are discussed in terms of continued growth and development during late adulthood and professional and personal growth among students. The psychologically and emotionally meaningful nature of quality intergenerational programs provides a platform for the formation of unique relationships to offset fractured social outlets during later life, providing protections against loneliness and work to establish unique relationships between disparate groups who otherwise may never have crossed paths.

Expectancies for Alcohol Analgesia Among Emerging Adults: Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Reliability, and Validity

Background Alcohol 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. Objectives The goal of this study was to examine the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the EAA among emerging adult college students. Methods 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. Results 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). Conclusion 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.

Early-day psychosocial predictors of later-day simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use among college-attending young adults.

Simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis is prevalent among young adults and associated with heightened risk for harms. Individuals who engage in simultaneous use report a variety of types of use occasions and risk factors driving use occasions are unique and dynamic in nature. Intervention content may thus need to adapt to address differences across occasions. As a first step toward developing momentary interventions, it is critical to identify whether and when psychosocial factors are associated with simultaneous use. The present study aimed to identify the most critical morning and afternoon risk factors for later-day simultaneous use. Participants were 119 young adult college students (63% female; 73% non-Hispanic/Latinx White) who reported weekly simultaneous use at baseline. Participants completed an online baseline survey and an ecological momentary assessment protocol (eight prompts/day) across four consecutive weekends. Multilevel models revealed that morning willingness to engage in simultaneous use and social motives were associated with higher odds of later-day simultaneous use. Afternoon willingness and cross-fading motives were significantly associated with higher odds of later-day use. Morning and afternoon conformity motives were associated with lower odds of use. Early-day willingness to use, morning social motives, and afternoon cross-fading motives were the most salient predictors of later-day simultaneous use and may serve as viable tailoring variables to incorporate in momentary interventions. As simultaneous use episodes commonly start after 9 p.m., there is a large time window in between early-day predictors and use behavior during which timely intervention content could be delivered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The protective role of siblings in sexual diverse emerging adult well-being

Close sibling relationships can serve as a salient source of support, particularly for individuals navigating stressors associated with emerging adulthood and minoritized identities. Using attachment theory and the temporal intersectional minority stress model as guiding frameworks, mixed-methods data were collected from 939 emerging adult college students to examine the role that siblings play in sexually diverse individual well-being. Sexually diverse emerging adults who perceived close sibling ties did not exhibit a negative effect of prospective anxiety on their self-esteem, but did experience an elevation in positive affect in the face of prospective anxiety, whereas sexually diverse individuals who had poor sibling relationships and heterosexual emerging adults did not show these protective effects. Interactions were not significant for negative affect. Sexually diverse emerging adults shared their lived experiences of how their siblings contribute to their well-being, including themes of affect, sibling interactions, sibling qualities, and coping within the relationship. Most sexually diverse individuals appeared to view a positive effect of siblings on their well-being despite less proximity to the family of origin.

Exploring relationships between dating app use and sexual activity among young adult college students.

University campus clinics provide crucial sexual health services to students, including STI/HIV screening, testing, contraception, and counseling. These clinics are essential for engaging young adults who may lack access to primary care or have difficulty reaching off-campus services. Dating apps are widely used by young adults, yet there is a lack of studies on how they affect sexual practices. This study aimed to evaluate the use of dating apps, engagement in condomless sexual activity, and the prevalence of STIs among young adult college students in Northern Texas. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to December 2022 among undergraduate and graduate students aged 18-35 at a large university in Northern Texas. A total of 122 eligible participants completed the survey, which assessed demographics, sexual behaviors, dating app use, and STI/HIV testing practices. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multivariate Poisson regression analyses with robust variance were performed to identify factors associated with dating app use and condomless sexual activity. Two-thirds of participants reported using dating apps. Significant differences were found between app users and non-users regarding demographic factors and unprotected sexual behaviors. Dating app users were more likely to report multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use, and a higher likelihood of engaging in unprotected sex. Poisson regression analysis indicated that app use was associated with residing in large urban areas, frequent use of campus STI/HIV screening services, and having multiple sexual partners (p < 0.05). The study highlights a significant association between dating app use and engagement in condomless sexual activity among college students. University health clinics play a critical role in providing sexual health services and can enhance their impact by expanding access to testing, contraception, and inclusive, sex-positive education. Future research should explore the long-term effects of dating app use on sexual health and evaluate the effectiveness of app-based interventions in promoting safer sexual practices.

Exploring religiosity, perceived mental health, and coping behaviors of undergraduate African American college students in the South

Objective: The current study explored the relationships of religiosity and coping behaviors on the perceived mental health of undergraduate African American (AA) college students enrolled at a large public university in the Southern United States. Methods: We used a cross-sectional survey design. AA and/or African descent adult college participants (n = 131) were recruited from an online chat group (ie, GroupMe) and completed the Brief-COPE, a demographic questionnaire, and a single-item mental health tool. Data analyses employing descriptive statistics and correlational analyses examined relationships between variables. Results: There was a positive correlation between increased religious activity and overall mental health. Those who specified their religion as “other” had a lower total mental health score than those with an identified religion. Conclusions: Findings underscore the importance of supportive interventions that account for religious beliefs and activities on overall mental health outcomes for undergraduate AA college students in the South.

Need Frustration and E-Cigarette Use and Dependence Among College Students: The Mediating Role of Ruminative Thinking

Background: The prevalence and dependence of e-cigarettes have increased among young adult college students in recent years. Though several independent risk factors for e-cigarette use and dependence have been identified, research employing theory-informed models to predict e-cigarette use and dependence is limited. Objectives: Using Self Determination Theory (SDT), e-cigarette use and dependence may be understood as stemming from need frustration that impairs autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which increases vulnerability for negative health outcomes, including e-cigarette use. Further, need frustration may relate to more e-cigarette use and dependence via higher ruminative thinking, which is known to relate to both need frustration and tobacco use. Method: This study tested this path model (i.e., SDT need frustration components [autonomy, relatedness, competency]→rumination facets [problem-focused thoughts, counterfactual thinking, repetitive thinking, anticipatory thoughts]→e-cigarette use frequency and dependence outcomes) among 1001 college students (75.3% female; 60.4% White, non-Hispanic; 52% first-year students) who endorsed past-month e-cigarette use. Results: Within our path model, we found significant indirect effects via problem-focused thoughts on e-cigarette use frequency and e-cigarette dependence. Specifically, higher scores on SDT autonomy, competence, and relatedness frustration were associated with greater problem-focused thoughts, which was associated with higher e-cigarette use frequency and e-cigarette dependence scores. Conclusions/Importance: Results highlight the importance of distinguishing between the unique facets of rumination in understanding relations with e-cigarette use. Further intervention research targeting need frustration and ruminative thinking (particularly problem-focused thoughts) among college student e-cigarette-dependent users is needed.

An Exploration of the Innovation Path of Adult College Education Management Based on the Concept of Intelligent Management

With the continuous development of Internet technology in our country, many fields are beginning to introduce information technology into the work, and the country has gradually entered an intelligent era. Adult education is an important part of education in our country, and its value is self-evident. As an important part of adult college education, the introduction of intelligent management concept is of great significance to improve the management effect. In view of this, this paper will analyze the innovation of adult college education management based on the concept of smart management, and put forward some strategies for your colleagues’ reference.

Predictors of Purpose Among Young Adults in College: An Exploratory Analysis of the Importance of Relational Supports and Experiential Learning

College is an important context for young adults to cultivate developmental assets, solidify vocational plans, and nurture meaningful relationships. National data from Gallup have highlighted key experiences that positively impact a student’s experience while at college and their life after graduation. These “Big Six” experiences, including relationships with faculty and mentors and participation in high-impact practices, predict student success. Similarly, both theory and research underscore the importance of relationships, active engagement, and exploration in cultivating purpose and long-term aims. Little work has examined the cumulative and relative value of the “Big Six” experiences in explaining purpose development in college. The present cross-sectional and exploratory study sought to address this gap. Specifically, this study utilized hierarchical linear regression to examine the impact of different experiences and relationships on college student purpose at a small, liberal arts university in the Southeast region of the United States (n = 758). The results indicated that a greater number of “Big Six” experiences were predictive of a stronger purpose. Furthermore, experiences centered on relationships mattered relatively more in fostering purpose among college students than participation in high-impact practices. The findings are discussed in the context of the literature and recommendations for higher-education institutions are made.

Exploring Health Behaviors In College Adult Gamers And Non-gamers: A Pilot Study

Exploring Health Behaviors In College Adult Gamers And Non-gamers: A Pilot Study

The Impact of College Adult Learners’ Resilience on Interpersonal Problems

The Impact of College Adult Learners’ Resilience on Interpersonal Problems

Perceptions of Academic Performance, Impairment, and Mental Health in University Students With and Without ADHD

Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of positive illusory bias (PIB) on the relationship between ADHD symptoms and functioning in college students, with a focus on gender differences. Method: The sample consisted of 195 college students, including 148 with ADHD and 47 without ADHD. Measures of ADHD symptomatology, life satisfaction, affect, gender identity, and impairment were collected, along with cumulative grade point average. Results: ADHD symptomatology was inversely linked to subjective well-being, with PIB acting as a significant moderator. Functional impairment was predicted by ADHD symptoms and subjective well-being, while social impairment and academic functioning were predicted by PIB and well-being. Significant gender differences were found, particularly in the interaction between PIB and ADHD symptoms for non-binary individuals. Conclusion: This study suggests that PIB is relevant for emerging adults with ADHD enrolled in higher education. Subjective well-being and PIB act as buffers against the detrimental functional and social effects of ADHD symptoms in emerging adult college students. The study highlights the importance of considering gender-specific approaches in understanding and supporting the mental health of this population.

Ultra-processed food intake is associated with low diet quality in young adult college students

Objective: Examine associations between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and diet quality (DQ) in college students. Participants: Analysis included 695 participants ages 18–39 years. Methods: Dietary data were collected using the online Diet History Questionnaires II and III. The Healthy Eating Index 2020 (HEI-2020) adult score assessed DQ. NOVA classification was used to identify UPFs. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine associations between %EI from UPF and HEI-2020 total and component scores, controlling for gender, race, smoking, campus meal plan, and EI. Results: Mean age was 19.2 years. In fully adjusted models a statistically significant inverse association was found between %EI from UPF and HEI-2020 total scores (F = 37.81, p < 0.001, R 2=0.26), all HEI adequacy scores except whole grains (not significant) and dairy (weak positive association), and for saturated fat, refined grains, and sodium scores. Conclusions: Addressing UPF intake in young adult college students could be a potential strategy to improve DQ.

Stress and Mental Health: Social-Emotional Protective Factors by Gender and First-Generation College Student Status

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to test whether the association between college students’ stress and mental health differed depending on social support and emotion expression beliefs. Additionally, this study examined whether these protective factors differed by gender and first-generation student status. Participants included emerging adult college students (N = 792) from a midsize public university in the Southwestern U.S. Students completed an online survey measuring their stress, mental health, emotion expression beliefs, and social support. Results demonstrated that social support was a protective factor for all and did not differ by gender or first-generation student status, whereas emotion expression beliefs related to lower levels of depression for women and lessened the negative effects of stress on mental health for continuing-generation students.

Health and Well-Being Among College Students in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Daily Diary Study.

There is evidence that anxiety and stress increased among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, less is known about daily experiences of affect, worry, substance use behaviors, experiences of pleasure, concern over food security, experiences of bias or discrimination, feelings of belongingness, and other indicators of well-being and how they vary across days in this population. This study surveyed a wide range of indicators of health and well-being in daily life over 21 days with a sample of college students in a large university system in the United States during the pandemic. The overall variance in each daily measure was partitioned to reflect the proportion due to (1) between-person differences versus (2) within-person, day-to-day variability. This is important because measures that vary primarily due to between-person differences may be more amenable to interventions that target particular students, whereas measures that vary more due to day-to-day variability may be more amenable to interventions that target day-level contextual factors. A sample of 2068 young adult college students (aged 18-24, mean 19.8, SD 1.3 years; 66.6% women) completed a baseline survey; 97.3% (n=2012) then completed up to 21 consecutive daily surveys that assessed a comprehensive set of daily markers of health, behavior, and well-being. The daily diary study produced a total of 33,722 person-days. Among all person-days, a minority were substance use days (eg, 14.5% of days involved alcohol use, 5.6% vaping, and 5.5% cannabis). Experiences of pleasure were reported on most (73.5%) days. Between-person differences explained more than 50% of the variance in numerous indicators of health and well-being, including daily vaping, cannabis use, other illicit substance use, experiences of bias or discrimination, positive affect, negative affect, worry, food insecurity, and feelings of belonging at the university. In contrast, within-person differences explained more than 50% of the variance in daily alcohol use, cigarette use, stress, experiences of pleasure, where the student slept last night, and physical activity. College student health and well-being are multifaceted, with some aspects likely driven by person-level characteristics and experiences and other aspects by more dynamic, contextual risk factors that occur in daily life. These findings implicate services and interventions that should target individual students versus those that should target days on which students are at high risk for poor experiences or behaviors.