Childhood adversity increases risk for depression and higher allostatic load (AL), defined as long-term wear and tear on the body, and adolescence is an especially sensitive time for adversity to be biologically embedded. Individuals of Mexican origin may face multiple forms of adversities relating to their intersectional identities of ethnicity and class, including ethnic discrimination and economic hardship, the experience of which may further depend on sex. However, relatively little research has simultaneously assessed associations between these two types of adolescent adversity and outcomes of both young adult depression and AL longitudinally in Mexican-origin individuals. This preregistered study addressed these gaps in a longitudinal study of 208 Mexican-origin participants. Ethnic discrimination and economic hardship were assessed annually from ages 10-19 and AL and depression symptoms were assessed at age 26. Sex differences were also tested. Perceived discrimination in adolescence significantly predicted higher levels of depression at age 26 (β =.09, p = .045, R2 =.03, ΔR2 = 0.005, 95% CI [.002,.181]). In addition, age 26 depression levels moderated the association between adolescent economic hardship and age 26 AL (β = -.17, p = .03, R2 =.12, ΔR2 =.028, 95% CI [-.33, -.02]). Participants exhibited higher AL with high levels of economic hardship but low levels of depression, as well as with low levels of economic hardship and high depression, suggesting that both psychological resilience to economic hardship and the association between mental health and AL may depend on context. Findings indicate intersectional effects of different types of adversity during adolescence on mental and physical health in young adulthood within Latino individuals.

This paper systematically reviews the literature on levels of eco-emotions reported by young adults (aged 18-29) across nations, with meta-analyses of associations between eco-anxiety and mental health outcomes. Fourteen databases were searched for relevant studies. Fifty-nine studies reported levels of eco-emotions, with 37 studies reporting associations between eco-anxiety and each of anxiety, depression, and stress. Eco-anxiety was the most reported eco-emotion. Higher scores of eco-anxiety and eco-fear were reported by populations facing direct environmental impacts. Eco-anger and eco-hope were reported to have a role in adaptive coping. Meta-analyses indicated moderate, significant positive associations between eco-anxiety and depression r= 0.29, anxiety r= 0.34, and stress r= 0.30. Meta-regressions were conducted to explore heterogeneity. Our results highlight the importance of addressing heterogeneity in operationalizing the construct of eco-anxiety and the need to collect data on eco-emotions in low-and-middle-income nations, which is lacking in the current literature.

The state of specialty training in young adult and adolescent health in medical specialties in the UK: Resident doctors' and trainers' perspectives.

ABSTRACT Mental health continues to be a growing concern among young adult college students. Prior research has shown that later sleep midpoint and greater sleep midpoint variability were associated with worse mental health, but these studies primarily focused on adolescents and middle- to older-aged adults. The lack of exploration into sleep midpoint and mental health in young adults creates a unique gap in the literature. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the longitudinal associations between sleep midpoint and mental health among young adult college students. College students (N = 256) between the ages of 18–26 from two universities recorded their sleep patterns and mental health (PHQ-2, GAD-2, and PSS-4) using electronic daily diaries over 2 weeks. Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to identify how within- and between-person sleep midpoints were associated with mental health outcomes among college students. Between participants, later sleep midpoint was robustly associated with depression (B = 0.19, SE = 0.05, p < 0.001), anxiety (B = 0.21, SE = 0.06, p < 0.001), and stress (B = 0.33, SE = 0.13, p = 0.008). Greater sleep midpoint variability was correlated with worse depressive symptoms (r = 0.14, p = 0.03). Intervention studies need to determine whether addressing sleep timing and sleep regularity could improve young adult mental health.

Understanding physical activity through the biopsychosocial model of health in young adults (19-30years of age) with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A mixed methods systematic review.

ABSTRACT Objective Homelessness and mental illness are bidirectionally linked and increase demand on acute psychiatric services. Young adults are vulnerable, yet hospital, disability, and housing systems remain poorly aligned. This study describes homelessness among young adults admitted to a psychiatric ward, identifies correlates at admission and discharge, examines length of stay (LOS), and assesses whether discharge to non-homeless status is associated with longer admissions. Methods This retrospective observational study examined 279 episode-level admissions to a young adult mental health unit on the Gold Coast (July 2021–July 2022). Regression models assessed associations between demographic, clinical, service-related factors, homelessness outcomes and length of stay. Results At admission, 42% involved homelessness and 29% remained homeless at discharge. Unstable accommodation was associated with substance use, family conflict, and NDIS participation. Rough sleeping was linked with males and greater social needs. Transitions into homelessness during admission were associated with family conflict and NDIS participation. Chronic homelessness was associated with homelessness at discharge, while prior case management was protective. Social need related to extended treatment transfer. LOS was not associated with homelessness outcomes. Discussion Homelessness was common and shaped by psychosocial adversity within constrained housing and service systems. Recommendations emphasise accountable cross-agency responses, step-down housing and integrated housing mental health systems.

To investigate the association between weekend catch-up sleep (WCS) duration and depressive symptoms among young adults in China and the United States, and to explore potential associated factors. We conducted a binational cross-sectional study comprising 1,440 Chinese young adults (collected in 2024) and 892 US young adults (from NHANES 2021-2023). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9 ≥ 10). WCS duration was categorized. Logistic regression, restricted cubic splines (RCS), and threshold effect models were employed to examine the relationship. Subgroup analyses were conducted by sex, education, and lifestyle factors. A U-shaped association was observed in both populations. Compared to no catch-up sleep (0 h), a WCS duration of 0-1 h was associated with significantly lower odds of depressive symptoms (China: Odds Ratios (OR) = 0.495, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 0.339-0.724; US: OR = 0.412, 95% CI 0.209-0.812). Restricted Cubic Spline (RCS) and threshold analyses confirmed this non-linear pattern, with inflection points at approximately 0.58 h (China) and 1.01 h (US). Subgroup analyses indicated the associations were modified by sex and alcohol drinking status. This study reveals a consistent U-shaped association between WCS and depressive symptoms among young adults in two distinct national populations. Moderate weekend catch-up sleep (around 0-1 h) may be associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of balanced sleep patterns for mental health in young adults.

To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in young adults with inflammatory arthritis. Low BMD was detected in 42% of patients, associated with male sex, lower BMI, slower gait speed, higher ESR, and prolonged glucocorticoids. This population requires early, comprehensive bone health screening to prevent long-term complications. Bone loss and consequent fractures significantly reduce quality of life, causing disability and premature mortality. These issues, common in elderly patients, are also linked to inflammatory arthritis (IA). The impact of IA on bone health in young adults (20-40years) is poorly documented. This study investigated the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) and potential risk factors in young adults with IA in Ukraine. Patients aged 18-40 with IA (juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA)) and disease duration > 2years, observed between November 2020 and December 2022, were included in this mono-centric study. Exclusion criteria are as follows: diabetes mellitus, endoprosthesis, systemic JIA, and pregnancy. BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Low BMD was defined as a Z-score ≤ -2.0 at the lumbar spine, total hip, or femoral neck. Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for sex, body mass index (BMI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), gait speed, and duration of glucocorticoid use, was performed to evaluate associated factors, calculating odds ratios (OR) with confidence intervals. Among 144 patients (81 females, 63 males; median age 29years), the prevalence of low BMD was 42% (61/144): 42% in JIA, 31% in SpA, and 26% in RA. In the adjusted multivariable model, low BMD was associated with male sex (OR = 11.5, p < 0.001), lower BMI (OR = 0.74, p < 0.001), higher ESR (OR = 1.10, p < 0.001), slower gait speed (OR = 0.02, p < 0.001), and longer duration of glucocorticoid use (OR = 1.03, p = 0.003). Our study revealed a high prevalence of low BMD among young patients with IA in Ukraine, closely linked to disease-related factors. This condition is multifactorial and associated with a specific clinical profile, including male sex, lower BMI, reduced physical performance, higher inflammation, and prolonged glucocorticoid use, highlighting the need for comprehensive screening and care.

Telomere trajectories from early adolescence to adulthood following early institutionalization: Protective effects of foster care in the Bucharest Early Intervention Project

Background and Aim. The widespread use of social media and short-form video platforms has raised concerns regarding their potential impact on cognitive health in young adults, including mental fatigue, reduced cognitive flexibility, sleep disturbances, and depression. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of social media scrolling and reading printed text on cognitive function in young adults. Methods. Nineteen participants (mean age 23.8 ± 2.7 years; 9 females and 10 males) were included. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) battery. The 2-Choice Reaction Time and Switching Task tests were administered in a randomised order before and after each condition across three consecutive days (control, social media scrolling, and reading). The social media and reading conditions each lasted 15 minutes. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Ethical approval was granted by the Research Ethics Committee (Protocol No. SMTEK-6). No external funding was received. Results. Reaction time decreased significantly following both the social media (p &lt; 0.021) and reading (p &lt; 0.039) conditions, with significant differences observed between conditions in post-task measures (p &lt; 0.003). The total number of correct responses increased significantly only after the social media condition (p &lt; 0.012), with a significant difference between conditions (p &lt; 0.015). Conclusions. Both social media use and reading were associated with improvements in reaction time, with greater gains observed after reading. In contrast, social media use was associated with greater improvements in response accuracy. These findings suggest differential short-term effects of digital and traditional cognitive engagement on cognitive performance. Keywords: Reaction time; mobile phone usage; short-form video; social media; young adults

BackgroundAlexithymia, defined as difficulty identifying and expressing emotions, has been linked to poor health behaviors and psychosomatic complaints. Evidence on its relationship with physical activity, musculoskeletal problems, posture, and fatigue in university students remains limited.ObjectiveThis study examined associations between alexithymia, physical activity, musculoskeletal complaints, posture, and fatigue in young adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 176 university students (59.1% female, mean age 21.3 ± 1.7 years). Alexithymia was measured using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), physical activity with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), musculoskeletal complaints with the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), posture with the New York Posture Rating Chart (NYPRC), and fatigue with the Checklist Individual Strength Questionnaire (CIS). Group comparisons were made by alexithymia status, and associations were analyzed with Spearman's correlation.ResultsStudents with alexithymia (n = 29) reported lower physical activity (p = 0.012) and greater fatigue (p = 0.023). No significant differences emerged for musculoskeletal complaints or posture. TAS scores correlated positively with fatigue (r = 0.431, p < 0.001) and negatively with physical activity (r = -0.187, p < 0.05) and posture (r = -0.150, p < 0.05).ConclusionsAlexithymia is associated with reduced physical activity and increased fatigue, and showed a weak negative correlation with posture in university students. These results underscore the need for interventions addressing emotional regulation and physical activity to support ergonomic health and academic outcomes in young adults.

Studies show that symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in college students increase with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). If individuals in young adulthood cannot cope with the negative experiences they were exposed to in childhood, they are at risk of mental health problems later in life. This study aimed to determine whether the effects of the past continue into the present and to examine their scope by testing the effect of ACEs on depression, anxiety, and stress through positive and negative feelings and irrational beliefs. Using stratified convenience sampling, 708 volunteer undergraduate students, 458 female and 250 male, with a mean age of 20.84 years, were reached in their classrooms. In the cross-sectional correlational survey design, Hayes’ PROCESS macro (model 80) was used for conditional process analyses after the regression assumptions were tested. The mediator variables positive and negative feelings and irrational beliefs accounted for about two-thirds of the effect of ACEs on depression (total effect = 0.598, 95% CI [0.442, 0.755], direct effect = 0.209 [0.069, 0.348]), about half of the effect on anxiety (total effect = 0.650 [0.499, 0.802], direct effect = 0.360 [0.214, 0.506]), and more than half of the effect on stress (total effect = 0.676 [0.507, 0.844], direct effect = 0.302 [0.146, 0.458]). Finally, compared to males, females had higher mean scores for ACEs, negative feelings, and depression, anxiety, and stress, and lower mean scores for irrational beliefs. In conclusion, the study shows that the negative effects of the past continue to appear in the present and recommends taking steps to prevent their potential risks for the mental health of young adults.

Associations between fitness components and brain health in young adults: A cognitive and brain volume MRI study exploring sex differences. The YoungFit study.

Association of Parenting Stress in Early Childhood with Emotional Health and Resilience of Young Adults with Congenital Heart Disease.

Functional movement and physical fitness are critical indicators of health and performance in young adults, yet their determinants among university students remain underexplored. This study examined the predictive roles of gender, age, physical activity level, sleep duration, injury history, and academic performance on functional movement screening (FMS) scores and physical fitness outcomes. A cross-sectional design was employed among university students. Functional movement was assessed using the FMS, while physical fitness was measured through standardized strength, endurance, and flexibility tests. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify significant predictors. Gender emerged as the strongest predictor across both domains: females achieved higher FMS scores, whereas males demonstrated superior physical fitness, particularly in strength and endurance. Physical activity level significantly predicted functional movement but not overall physical fitness, highlighting qualitative versus quantitative dimensions of performance. Age was positively associated with muscular strength, while low GPA was unexpectedly linked to higher physical fitness. Recent injury history (<6 months) negatively influenced movement efficiency, whereas sleep duration and smoking status were not significant predictors when controlling for other variables. Findings underscore the multidimensional nature of student health, with gender, activity level, and injury history serving as primary determinants. These results highlight the need for integrated, gender-sensitive, and injury-prevention strategies to optimize movement quality and physical fitness in university populations.

Endodontic status and oral health in athlete and non-athlete young adults in relation to nutrition and psychological factors.

This study analyzes the causal effect of sleep duration on mental health among young adults using a meta-learner-based causal inference framework. Specifically, we applied a T-Learner model with Random Forest and XGBoost as the base learner to data from 1,405 individuals aged 19–34, drawn from the 2022–2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The result indicates that adequate sleep increases the probability of maintaining normal mental health. Subgroup analysis comparing individuals with adequate sleep and normal mental health to those with insufficient sleep and poor mental health also reveals a statistically significant causal effect of sleep on mental health improvement. In addition, AST (SGOT) levels and blood creatinine concentration are identified as key confounding factors. Findings suggest that sufficient sleep could enhance mental health among young adults, and policy implications for youth mental health are derived from the perspective of sleep duration. By providing empirically identified causal evidence based on nationally representative data, this study contributes to the growing literature on sleep and mental health and highlights sleep duration as a modifiable target for evidence-based mental health interventions in young adults.

Physical and psychological health (e.g., healthful eating behavior, physical activity, body image) are dimensions of successful young adult development. Families are an important developmental context, yet little is known about how parents contribute to their young adult children's eating behavior, body image, or weight-related health. The purpose of this study was to shed light on parents' perceived roles, practices, and concerns regarding their young adult children's eating, body image, and weight-related health. Data were drawn from 558 parents who participated in Project Eating and Activity over Time, a population-based study of eating, activity, and weight-related health, and responded to an open-ended question about parenting their young adult children regarding eating habits and weight. Thematic analysis revealed heterogeneity in parents' perceptions of their roles in their young adult children's eating and weight-related health; we identified subthemes of autonomy, loss of control, and lack of responsibility. Parents reported using an array of parenting practices and strategies (e.g., modeling) to promote healthy eating, body image, and weight-related health in their young adult children. Parents also reported numerous factors that challenged or influenced their parenting, including child characteristics, contextual influences, and lack of knowledge. Although parents' perceived roles change with their child's development, many parents are still invested and involved in their young adult children's eating, body image, and weight-related health. Our findings have implications for theory and suggest that parents may benefit from guidance about navigating their child's transition to young adulthood in ways that support their eating, body image, and weight-related health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

18. GynTok: The Influence of Social Media on the Gynecologic Health of Adolescents and Young Adults

Longitudinal development of the anterior insula-nucleus accumbens white matter pathway through adolescence predicts risk taking in young adulthood.