Citation

Simone M, Loth K, Peterson CB, Berge JM, Eisenberg ME, Neumark-Sztainer D. Emerg. Adulthood 2022; 10(5): 1247-1255.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/21676968211021677

PMID

36111319

PMCID

PMC9469878

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the associations between social isolation, social contextual factors, and behavioral and psychological health during emerging adulthood.

METHODS: Participants (n = 1,568) were drawn from EAT 2018 (mean age = 22.1 ± 2.0). Logistic regressions tested the associations between social isolation, contextual factors, and behavioral and psychological health.

RESULTS: Approximately 16% of the sample reported social isolation. Emerging adults with socially marginalized identities (e.g., racial/ethnic, socioeconomic), who were unemployed, and/or lived alone had higher odds of experiencing social isolation. Social isolation was associated with more risky health behaviors and lower self-esteem.

DISCUSSION: Emerging adults who were socially disadvantaged (e.g., unemployed) had greater risk of social isolation.

FINDINGS suggest that social isolation is more strongly linked with behavioral health than psychological health. Generally, findings suggest that access to community resources and areas wherein social connections can be formed may to be important for behavioral health in emerging adulthood.

Language: en

Keywords

social isolation; emerging adults; disparities; interpersonal relationships