US Young Research Articles

Prescription Opioid Misuse, Comorbid Substance Use, and Suicidal Behaviors Among US Young Adults: Findings from 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Background Few studies to date have examined the number of comorbid substances used alongside Prescription Opioid Misuse (POM) to predict suicidal behaviors among US young adults. Objective This study investigated the relationship between comorbid substance use with POM and suicidal behaviors among the US young adults. Methods Data were from individuals aged 18–25 (N = 69,204, 51.8% female) in the 2015–2019 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The final analytic sample for logistic regression was 36,892 young adults. Results After controlling for key covariates, the combination of POM and three or more illicit drugs were at the greatest odds of suicidal ideation (OR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.61 − 4.11, p < 0.001) and attempts (OR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.89 − 6.76, p < 0.001) compared to those without POM or drug use. Conclusions The study provides evidence of a dose-response relationship between the number of illicit drugs uses alongside POM and the suicide risk as a clinically important phenomenon with implication for intervention. Findings highlight that POM, with or without illicit drug use, can serve as a behavioral and clinical indicator for identifying young adults at heightened risk of suicidality. This group warrants prioritized intervention targets to ensure timely access to developmentally appropriate clinical treatment, aiming to mitigate addiction progression and prevent harm and mortality.

Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors and Epigenetic Aging in US Young Adults

Epigenetic clocks represent molecular evidence of disease risk and aging processes and have been used to identify how social and lifestyle characteristics are associated with accelerated biological aging. However, most research is based on samples of older adults who already have measurable chronic disease. To investigate whether and how sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics are associated with biological aging in a younger adult sample across a wide array of epigenetic clock measures. This cohort study was conducted using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, a US representative cohort of adolescents in grades 7 to 12 in 1994 followed up for 25 years to 2018 over 5 interview waves. Participants who provided blood samples at wave V (2016-2018) were analyzed, with samples tested for DNA methylation (DNAm) in 2021 to 2024. Data were analyzed from February 2023 to May 2024. Sociodemographic (sex, race and ethnicity, immigrant status, socioeconomic status, and geographic location) and lifestyle (obesity status by body mass index [BMI] in categories of reference range or underweight [<25], overweight [25 to <30], obesity [30 to <40], and severe obesity [≥40]; exercise level; tobacco use; and alcohol use) characteristics were assessed. Biological aging assessed from banked blood DNAm using 16 epigenetic clocks. Data were analyzed from 4237 participants (mean [SD] age, 38.4 [2.0] years; percentage [SE], 51.3% [0.01] female and 48.7% [0.01] male; percentage [SE], 2.7% [<0.01] Asian or Pacific Islander, 16.7% [0.02] Black, 8.7% [0.01] Hispanic, and 71.0% [0.03] White). Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were more often associated with biological aging in clocks trained to estimate morbidity and mortality (eg, PhenoAge, GrimAge, and DunedinPACE) than clocks trained to estimate chronological age (eg, Horvath). For example, the β for an annual income less than $25 000 vs $100 000 or more was 1.99 years (95% CI, 0.45 to 3.52 years) for PhenoAgeAA, 1.70 years (95% CI, 0.68 to 2.72 years) for GrimAgeAA, 0.33 SD (95% CI, 0.17 to 0.48 SD) for DunedinPACE, and -0.17 years (95% CI, -1.08 to 0.74 years) for Horvath1AA. Lower education, lower income, higher obesity levels, no exercise, and tobacco use were associated with faster biological aging across several clocks; associations with GrimAge were particularly robust (no college vs college or higher: β = 2.63 years; 95% CI, 1.67-3.58 years; lower vs higher annual income: <$25 000 vs ≥$100 000: β = 1.70 years; 95% CI, 0.68-2.72 years; severe obesity vs no obesity: β = 1.57 years; 95% CI, 0.51-2.63 years; no weekly exercise vs ≥5 bouts/week: β = 1.33 years; 95% CI, 0.67-1.99 years; current vs no smoking: β = 7.16 years; 95% CI, 6.25-8.07 years). This study found that important social and lifestyle factors were associated with biological aging in a nationally representative cohort of younger adults. These findings suggest that molecular processes underlying disease risk may be identified in adults entering midlife before disease is manifest and inform interventions aimed at reducing social inequalities in heathy aging and longevity.

How US Young Adults Understand and Conceptualize Ultra-Processed Foods

How US Young Adults Understand and Conceptualize Ultra-Processed Foods

Exposure to E-Cigarette Advertisements or Reviews and E-Cigarette Use Progression: A Longitudinal Examination of Short-Term and Long-Term Associations among US Young Adults.

Limited research has investigated the impact of e-cigarette advertising and reviews on the progression of e-cigarette use among young adults in the US. This study utilized five-wave longitudinal data (2018-2020) with 3006 young adults aged 18-34, reporting exposure to e-cigarette advertisements or reviews at Wave 1 (W1) and W3. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to examine the prospective associations between frequent exposure to e-cigarette advertisements or reviews and e-cigarette use progression in four groups: never users (n = 1271 at W1), former users (previously used but quit ≥ 6 months ago, n = 422 at W1), recent former users (used in the past 6 months but not in the past month, n = 186 at W1), and current users (used in the past month, n = 1127 at W1). Among baseline former users, frequent exposure to e-cigarette reviews was associated with current use at 6-month follow-up (aOR = 4.40, 95%CI = 1.46-13.29). Among baseline current users, frequent exposure to e-cigarette reviews was associated with increased days of use at 6-month follow-up (IRR = 1.20, 95%CI = 1.07-1.34) and 12-month follow-up (IRR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.03-1.35). E-cigarette reviews may contribute to relapse among recent former users and increased usage frequency among current users, highlighting the need for enhanced e-cigarette promotional activity regulation.

Patterns of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Problematic Health Outcomes Among US Young Adults: A Latent Class Analysis.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) predict problematic health outcomes (eg, substance use, mental health) among young adults; whether specific ACEs are differentially associated with specific substance use and mental health symptoms is understudied. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified classes of ACEs among 2209 US young adults (Mage = 24.69, range: 18-34; 57.4% female; 30.9% sexual minority; 35.8% racial/ethnic minority) in a 2-year study (2018-2020). Multivariable logistic regressions examined ACEs (reported in 2019) in relation to 2020 reports of current (past 30-day) substance use (ie, tobacco use; cannabis use and hazardous use; alcohol use and binge drinking) and mental health (ie, ≥moderate depression and anxiety symptoms), controlling for sociodemographics (ie, age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, education). Overall, 65.4% reported ≥1 ACE (M = 2.09, SD = 2.30); 34.8%, 39.1%, and 71.1% current tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol use; 39.1% and 15.3% hazardous cannabis use and binge drinking; and 24.2% and 34.5% ≥moderate depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively. LCA yielded 4 classes: Low ACEs (referent; 55.6%), Poor family health and divorce (16.3%), Parental abuse (16.0%), and High ACEs (12.1%). High ACEs (vs Low ACEs) was associated with each adverse substance use and mental health outcome except alcohol use. Poor family health and divorce was associated with tobacco use, cannabis use, and both mental health outcomes. Parental abuse was associated with tobacco use, cannabis use, hazardous cannabis use, and both mental health outcomes. Health promotion interventions for young adults must assess ACEs, given that certain types of ACEs may be associated with distinct substance use and mental health outcomes.

Use of Cannabis for Medical or Recreational Purposes Among US Young Adults: Correlates and Implications for Problematic Use and Interest in Quitting.

Recreational and medical cannabis use has increased, particularly among young adults, but little is known regarding who uses for these purposes or how purpose of use is associated with problematic use. We analyzed Fall 2019 survey data among 1,083 US young adults (ages 18-34) reporting past 6-month cannabis use. Multivariable regression analyses examined: 1) characteristics of those using for only/primarily medical purposes, primarily recreationally, and only recreationally vs. equally for medical and recreational purposes (referent; multinomial logistic); and 2) reasons for use in relation to cannabis use disorder symptoms (linear) and driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC; binary logistic). 37.1% used only recreationally, 23.5% primarily recreationally, 21.5% equally for both, and 17.8% medically. Compared to those using equally for medical and recreational purposes, those using only/primarily medically had fewer friends who used cannabis; those using primarily recreationally were younger, more educated, less likely used tobacco, and reported fewer ACEs. Those using only recreationally were younger, more likely male, less likely to report an ADHD diagnosis or past-month alcohol or tobacco use, and reported fewer friends who used cannabis, ACEs, and depressive symptoms. Using equally for medical and recreational purposes (vs. all other cannabis use subgroups) correlated with greater use disorder symptoms and DUIC. Using cannabis equally for medical and recreational purposes may pose particularly high-risk, given the association with greater mental health concerns and problematic use. Understanding use profiles and how young adults interpret and distinguish medical and recreational use is critical.

Sex-Specific Physical Activity Levels and Energy Intake in US Young Adults with Depression: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017 – 2020 Pre-Pandemic Data

Sex-Specific Physical Activity Levels and Energy Intake in US Young Adults with Depression: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017 – 2020 Pre-Pandemic Data

Responses to Real-World and Hypothetical Menthol Flavor Bans Among US Young Adults Who Smoke Menthol Cigarettes.

Menthol cigarette bans have been implemented in some US states and localities, and a federal ban is being proposed by the FDA. This study asks how young adults who use menthol cigarettes respond to changes in menthol cigarette availability. An online survey of young adults ages 18-34 who reported smoking menthol cigarettes on ≥7 of 30 days around Thanksgiving 2019 (n = 734), oversampling Massachusetts-the first state with a menthol ban. Participants reported their tobacco use behavior following real-world menthol cigarette bans or predicted their behavior under a hypothetical federal ban. Most respondents who exclusively smoked versus dual used with e-cigarettes continued smoking/using combustible tobacco following real-world bans (95.3% vs. 86.9%), accessing menthol cigarettes from other jurisdictions. Fewer who smoked exclusively responded by using e-cigarettes compared to those who dual used (3.9% vs. 43.7%). Quitting all tobacco use (ie, no smoking, vaping, or any tobacco use) was uncommon for both groups (3.6% vs. 9.0%). Under a hypothetical ban, majorities of those who exclusively smoke and who dual use predicted they would continue smoking (72.2% vs. 71.8%); fewer who smoke exclusively would use e-cigarettes compared to those who dual use (14.7% vs. 41.4%). Those who smoke exclusively were more likely to report quitting all tobacco compared to those who dual use (29.6% vs. 12.4%). Under real-world and hypothetical menthol cigarette bans, most respondents continued smoking. However, more young adults continued smoking following real-world bans, reflecting the limitations of local/state restrictions when menthol cigarettes are available in other jurisdictions. This survey asked young adults who use menthol cigarettes how they responded to real-world changes in the availability of menthol cigarettes; 89% reported continuing to smoke. Those who smoked exclusively were far less likely to respond by switching to e-cigarettes compared to people who dual used both products. Under a hypothetical federal menthol cigarette ban, 72% of young adults predicted that they would continue smoking. Quitting all tobacco was less common in the real-world scenario compared to the hypothetical ban. Access to menthol cigarettes in other jurisdictions and flavored cigars likely dampen the public health benefit of menthol cigarette bans.

Responses to Real-World and Hypothetical E-Cigarette Flavor Bans Among US Young Adults Who Use Flavored E-Cigarettes.

E-cigarette flavor bans could reduce or exacerbate population health harms. To determine how US e-cigarette flavor restrictions might influence tobacco use behavior, this study assesses responses to real-world and hypothetical flavor bans among young adults who use flavored e-cigarettes. An online, national survey of young adults ages 18-34 who use flavored e-cigarettes was conducted in 2021 (n = 1253), oversampling states affected by e-cigarette flavor restrictions. Participants were asked about their responses to real-world changes in the availability of flavored e-cigarettes. Unaffected participants were asked to predict their responses under a hypothetical federal e-cigarette flavor ban. The most common response to real-world changes in flavored e-cigarettes availability was to continue vaping (~80%). Among those who exclusively vaped, 12.5% switched to combustible tobacco. Quitting all forms of tobacco was selected by 5.3% of those exclusively vape versus 4.2% who dual use. Under a hypothetical federal ban, more than half of respondents stated they would continue vaping; 20.9% and 42.5% of those who exclusively vape versus dual use would use combustible tobacco. Quitting all tobacco products was endorsed by 34.5% and 17.2% of those who exclusively vape versus dual use. Young adults who vape flavored e-cigarettes have mixed responses to e-cigarette flavor bans. Under both real-world and hypothetical e-cigarette flavor bans, most who use flavored e-cigarettes continue vaping. Under a real-world ban, the second most common response among those who exclusively vape is to switch to smoking; under a hypothetical federal ban, it is to quit all tobacco. This is the first national survey to directly ask young adults who use flavored e-cigarettes about their responses to real-world changes in flavored e-cigarette availability due to state and local flavor restrictions. The survey also asked individuals to predict their responses under a hypothetical federal e-cigarette flavor ban. Most who use flavored e-cigarettes would continue vaping following e-cigarette flavor restrictions, but many would switch to or continue using combustible tobacco, highlighting potential negative public health consequences of these policies. Policymakers must consider the impact of e-cigarette flavor bans on both e-cigarette and cigarette use.

Lifestyle Behaviors and Cardiometabolic Diseases by Race and Ethnicity and Social Risk Factors Among US Young Adults, 2011 to 2018.

Background Cardiometabolic health has been worsening among young adults, but the prevalence of lifestyle risk factors and cardiometabolic diseases is unclear. Methods and Results Adults aged 18 to 44 years were included from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011 to 2018. Age-standardized prevalence of lifestyle risk factors and cardiometabolic diseases was estimated overall and by demographic and social risk factors. A set of multivariable logistic regressions was sequentially performed by adjusting for age, sex, social risk factors, and lifestyle factors to determine whether racial and ethnic disparities in the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases may be attributable to differences in social risk factors and lifestyle factors. Appropriate weights were used to ensure national representativeness of the estimates. A total of 10 405 participants were analyzed (median age, 30.3 years; 50.8% women; 32.3% non-Hispanic White). The prevalence of lifestyle risk factors ranged from 16.3% for excessive drinking to 49.3% for poor diet quality. The prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases ranged from 4.3% for diabetes to 37.3% for dyslipidemia. The prevalence of having ≥2 lifestyle risk factors was 45.2% and having ≥2 cardiometabolic diseases was 22.0%. Racial and ethnic disparities in many cardiometabolic diseases persisted but were attenuated after adjusting for social risk factors and lifestyle factors. Conclusions The prevalence of lifestyle risk factors and cardiometabolic diseases was high among US young adults and varied by race and ethnicity and social risk factors. Racial and ethnic disparities in the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases were not fully explained by differences in social risk factors and lifestyle factors.

Experiences of Microaggressions, Attributions, and Impact Among US Young Adults: An Intersectional Perspective Regarding Sexual/Gender and Racial/Ethnic Minorities.

Understanding discrimination (e.g., microaggressions) toward sexual/gender minorities (SGM) and racial/ethnic minorities (REM) from an intersectional perspective is critical in informing interventions to reduce such experiences and their impacts. This study examined US young adults identifying as SGM, REM, both, or neither in relation to microaggression experiences, and these factors in relation to mental health. Using 2022 data from 932 US adults (Mage = 27.61) in an online survey study, we compared subgroups (SGM-only, REM-only, both, neither) in relation to microaggression experiences and mental health symptoms, stratified by sex (male, female). Multivariable linear regression examined: 1) sex and intersectional subgroup in relation to number of microaggressions experienced; and 2) sex, subgroup, and number of microaggression experiences in relation to mental health symptoms. Among females (n = 612), 42.0% were SGM-only, 17.3% REM-only, 15.2% both, and 25.5% neither. Among males (n = 320), 25.0% were SGM-only, 25.0% REM-only, 8.4% both, and 41.6% neither. Females (vs. males) reported more microaggressions (M = 5.67, SD = 3.00 vs. M = 3.95, SD = 3.46, p < .001). Those with intersecting minority identities experienced the most microagressions (females: M = 6.98, SD = 2.64; males: M = 6.44, SD = 2.95, respectively). In multivariable analyses, females and those in any of the 3 minority-identifying subgroups experienced more microaggressions; those with intersecting minority identities experienced more microaggressions than SGM-only and REM-only. Identifying as SGM-only or both SGM and REM, as well as experiencing more microaggressions, was associated with greater mental health symptoms. Intersecting minority identities increase risk for microaggressions and mental health consequences. Multilevel interventions must reduce minority subgroups' experiences of microaggressions and their impacts.

The association between Adverse Childhood Experiences and HPV vaccination coverage in U.S. young adults: a cross-sectional study.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contribute to adverse health outcomes in adulthood. Access to preventive healthcare services, including HPV vaccinations, may mitigate the impact of ACEs on adverse health outcomes. Our objective was to assess associations between ACEs and HPV vaccination coverage among young adults. We included 3415 18-29-year-old respondents to the 2019-2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) ACE and HPV vaccination modules. ACEs included emotional, physical and sexual abuse; household intimate partner violence, substance abuse, mental illness; and parental separation/divorce and incarcerated household member. We used log-binomial regression models to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals for associations between ACEs and self-reported HPV vaccination and completion. Secondary outcomes included influenza vaccination uptake, time since routine checkup, HIV testing history, and HIV-related risk behavior. Several ACEs were positively associated with HPV vaccine initiation, including emotional abuse (PR:1.29, 95%CI:1.17-1.43), intimate partner violence (PR:1.14, 95%CI:1.00-1.30), substance abuse (PR:1.20, 95%CI:1.08-1.33), and mental illness (PR:1.35, 95%CI:1.22-1.50). Similar associations were observed for completion. Conversely, most ACEs were negatively associated with influenza vaccination (PRs from 0.72-1.00), and with recent checkup (PRs from 0.92-1.00). ACEs were positively associated with having had an HIV test (PRs from 1.19-1.56) and HIV-related risk behavior (PRs from 1.19-2.07). The unexpected positive associations between ACEs and HPV vaccination coverage could be due to opportunities to receive HPV vaccination in late adolescence or early adulthood while accessing STI/HIV prevention or treatment services. Future studies should evaluate associations between ACEs and timely HPV vaccination in early adolescence.

0235 Social Jetlag and Diet Quality Among US Young Adults

Abstract Introduction Young adults are among the populations with the lowest quality diets in the US, and poor sleep could be a contributing factor. Social jetlag, the lack of consistent sleep timing from weekdays to weekends, is also more common among young adults. Our objective was to examine associations between social jetlag and diet quality among US young adults, and to evaluate effect modification by sex or race/ethnicity. Methods The study population included 1,308 adults aged 20-39 who participated in the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Social jetlag was considered as ≥2-hour difference in sleep midpoint (median of bedtime and wake time) between weekends and weekdays. Diet quality was assessed with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015, which is comprised of 13 dietary components and ranges from 0 to 100 (higher scores=better diet quality). Scores were binned into three groups based on tertile cutoffs. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were utilized to evaluate the relationship between social jetlag and HEI-2015 scores as well as the individual HEI components, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, recent tobacco use and physical activity. Effect modification by sex and race/ethnicity were also considered. Results In the analytic sample, 31% of young adults had social jetlag. Overall, there were no associations between social jetlag and diet quality. However, interaction analysis revealed several associations were race-specific (P, interaction&amp;lt; 0.05). Among Black adults, social jetlag was associated with lower overall diet quality (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2, 0.8; i.e., less likely to be in higher diet quality tertiles) and more unfavorable scores on total vegetables (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.3, 1.0) and added sugar (i.e., OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4, 0.9). For Hispanic adults, social jetlag was associated with higher intakes of sodium (OR=0.6, 95% CI 0.4, 0.9) However, White adults with social jetlag had higher intake of greens and beans (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.1, 3.2). Conclusion Within a nationally-representative sample of US young adults, social jetlag was related to certain indicators of lower diet quality among Black and Hispanic Americans. Support (if any) Dr. Jansen was supported by K01HL151673.

Time-Varying Determinants of Changes in E-Cigarette Relative Harm Perception Among US Young Adults.

Current e-cigarette use has increased among young adults in the USA despite a consistent decrease in perceiving e-cigarettes as less harmful than cigarettes over time. This study examined time-varying predictors associated with the changes in e-cigarette relative harm perception over time among US young adults. Data were from the 2013-2018 Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study for young adults (18-24years). A time-varying effect model (TVEM) was applied to examine the association between the relative harm perception change and the associated time-varying predictors. Of the 8427 young adults, the prevalence of those who perceived e-cigarettes as less harmful than cigarettes decreased from 50.3% in Wave 1 (2013-2014) to 27.7% in Wave 4 (2016-2018). Young adults who were male were more likely to perceive e-cigarettes as less harmful than cigarettes over time (OR = 1.58; 95%CI, 1.53-1.64). In addition, the changes in e-cigarette relative harm perception were less noticeable among those with advanced degrees, who had non-combustible smoke-free home rules, who held negative tobacco-related attitudes, and those who were current e-cigarette users or ever used alcohol (all p values < 0.05). A decline was observed in US young adults who perceived e-cigarettes as less harmful than cigarettes from the PATH Study across four waves (2013-2018). The study findings underscore the importance of risk communication that focuses on harm perception profiles and the need for appropriate interventions to balance the considerations of e-cigarette use among young adults.

Gratitude Moments as Predictors of Self- and Other-Orientation Indicators in a Racially/Ethnically Diverse Sample of US Young Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Scholars posit that gratitude may enhance other-oriented beliefs and behaviors and dampen self-oriented ones through a cycle of upward generativity. We examined associations between gratitude as an indicator of self-orientation (i.e., materialism and entitlement) and other orientation (i.e., connection to nature; attitudes, beliefs, and conversations about social justice; prosocial behavior) in the US youth across six months as moderated by race/ethnicity and gender. Specifically, Study 1 evaluated the psychometric performance of the gratitude moments scale in a more racially and ethnically diverse sample than that included in the original scale development. In study 2, we evaluated pre-registered hypotheses among the youth who completed surveys in October 2020 and again in January 2021 (n = 812). These hypotheses tested (1) whether there were ethnic/racial differences in the measure of children’s gratitude; (2) whether there were reciprocal associations over time between children’s gratitude and indices of self and other orientation; and (3) whether these reciprocal associations varied as a function of youth race/ethnicity and gender. The results of study 1 found that the gratitude moments scale demonstrated high reliability and validity in racially/ethnically diverse young adolescents (n = 89). Using moderated nonlinear factor analysis in study 2, we found only one difference in how the gratitude moments scale performed as a function of race/ethnicity or gender. In cross-lagged panel models, gratitude moments did not predict subsequent self- and other-orientation indices, though youth with lower social justice attitudes and greater prosocial behavior showed increases in later gratitude moments. Prosocial behavior was more strongly and consistently related to self- and other-orientation indices than gratitude. These findings are consistent with models of prosocial behavior as a catalyst for the development of additional forms of other-oriented beliefs, attitudes, and actions that may underlie the development of an other-oriented purpose.

Typical Sources and Locations of Marijuana among US Young Adults: Differences by Sexual Minority Status

Background: With the widespread legalization of cannabis and use among all age groups, location and source of cannabis remains to be researched, especially among minority populations. Methods: We pooled data from the 2018–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and investigated differences by sexual minority status of where individuals obtained cannabis. Results: Results found that gay/lesbian and bisexual individuals who reported use were more likely to get marijuana from buying it, trading it for something else and getting it for free or sharing someone else’s, compared to heterosexual individuals. Furthermore, more than one in five lesbian/gay individuals reported obtaining marijuana from someone they just met while nearly 25% of bisexual women reported obtaining marijuana from a friend. Conclusions: Findings from the present study may inform harm reduction and policy initiatives.

Gratitude Moments as Predictors of Self- and Other-Orientation Indicators in a Racially/Ethnically Diverse Sample of US Young Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Gratitude Moments as Predictors of Self- and Other-Orientation Indicators in a Racially/Ethnically Diverse Sample of US Young Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Examining Multilevel Correlates of Geographic Mobility in a Sample of US Young Adults Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, geographic mobility, previously viewed as an indicator of economic stability, was declining among young adults. Yet, these trends shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic; young adults were more likely to move during COVID-19 for reasons related to reducing disease transmission and fewer educational and job opportunities. Few studies have documented the individual and neighborhood characteristics of young adults who moved before and during the pandemic. We used data from a cohort of young adults aged 18-34 in six metropolitan areas to examine individual- and neighborhood-level predictors of mobility before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample was majority female, white, and educated with a bachelor's degree or more. Residents in neighborhoods they lived in were mostly White, US-born, employed, and lived above the poverty level. Before the pandemic, identifying as a sexual minority was significantly related to mobility. During the pandemic, being younger, single, and non-Hispanic were significantly related to mobility. Higher neighborhood poverty was significantly related to mobility before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies that examine young adult populations who moved during the pandemic are needed to determine whether COVID-19 related moves increase economic instability and subsequent health-related outcomes.

Beyond the Binary: Queer (Im)possibilities of Bisexual Desires in Selected US Young Adult Novels

There has been rapid growth in the representation of bisexual characters in US YA since 2010 in both genre fiction that has traditionally been dominated by the stories of heterosexual protagonists, and in popular YA trends, particularly the teen love triangle plot. Improvements in bisexual representation in happy, loving, meaningful queer relationships, however, still requires critical vigilance against the equation between homonormativity and queer futurities in YA, as the latter “will not be achieved by simply retelling and celebrating a single story” (Matos and Wargo 8). A particular challenge for queering conventional romance plots is the stereotyping and essentialising of bisexuals as selfish, hyper-sexual, attention-seeking or undecided, in a system of bi-erasure underpinned by monosexism. This belief that all sexualities are located at either end or at some point along the homo-heterosexual scale remains a powerful force of bi-erasure, such that tensions can arise when romance conventions and dichotomous plot structures are used to depict characters whose desires are beyond this binary. I examine four recent YA novels for their representation of bisexual characters within love triangle plots in genre fiction to highlight how these queer characters remain constrained by essentialised views of bisexuality. Despite each novel resolving the love triangle dilemma in different ways, they offer bisexual teen readers little hope for acceptance or understanding, even within relationships, and, that current political and social systems, including monosexism, are unassailable.

Understanding Postmodern Identity Among US Young Adults Through an Investigation of Globalized Interest

The 21st century and internet technology has brought about many changes that includes exposure to new cultures. This creates opportunities for new identities to develop. In this study, the researcher examines identity integration through discussions on engagement in a globalized interest in connection with postmodernism. Twelve college students who were interested in a culture not connected to their own ethnic background were interviewed. The majority of the participants were interested in Japanese anime and Korean pop music while not being ethnically Japanese or Korean. Using Erikson’s theorizing of three levels of identity and Hidi and Renninger’s four phases of interest development, the researcher discusses the integration of participants’ interest into their ego identity, personal identity, and social identity as well as the utilization of the internet for interest development. The researcher ends with suggestions for future identity research that includes considerations around how identity integration might be considered (i.e., identity synthesis) and further investigations around internet content.