The coronavirus pandemic that began in December 2019 (COVID-19) quickly spread globally with an increased transmission in the United States beginning in March 2020. Social distancing guidelines were instituted across the country, limiting contact individuals could have with others. This compared the mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) emerging adults who completed the survey before ( n = 1,190) many social distancing guidelines went into effect with those who completed the survey after ( n = 705). Participants who participated in the survey after social distancing guidelines were initiated reported lower levels of hope for the future, higher levels of alcohol use, a lower sense of connection to and pride regarding the LGBTQ community, and a lower sense of minority stress. Results indicate a detrimental response to social distancing in the days immediately following the onset of such guidelines as confusion reigned and expectations changed day to day.
Gender and sexual minority (GSM) individuals have been neglected in emerging adulthood research. Further research is needed to understand the seemingly contradictory religious and GSM identities of emerging adults. This study looks at the associations of identity development and identity integration with religious and GSM group activities and well‐being. Identity visibility (outness) is associated with increases in GSM group activity and well‐being. Religious group activity is also associated with increases in well‐being. Religious group activity mediates the relationship between identity integration and well‐being. Implications for practitioners working with GSM individuals dealing with issues of identity integration are discussed.
This study explores the influence of parental warmth during adolescence on financial experiences and well-being across the transition to adulthood. Given the poorer financial outcomes and more complicated parental relationships reported by sexual minorities compared to their sexual majority counterparts, the present study examined the moderating impact of sexual orientation during emerging adulthood. The current study used three waves of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent eHealth. Groups were categorized as identifying as either heterosexual (n = 4,337) or nonheterosexual (referred to as “sexual minorities,” n = 482), resulting in an overall sample size of (n = 4,819). Using a multiple group structural equation model, results indicated that while mediated by future financial expectations, parental warmth during adolescence positively predicted income and well-being during adulthood in both sexual minority and heterosexual individuals. Significant differences were found between these two groups. Parental warmth was a stronger predictor of later well-being in sexual minority individuals. Implications for practitioners are discussed including the need for further cultural competency related to sexual minority populations.
Background: Whereas the increased use of substances in sexual and gender minority (SGM) samples has been well documented, further person-centered analyses are necessary to better understand the unique profiles of SGM individuals and substance use. Methods: Utilizing a sample of 1,852 SGM emerging adults (M age ¼ 23.31) recruited via Prolific, a latent profile analysis was conducted to determine profiles of ecological systems using self-esteem, hope for the future, minority group connection, and a history of childhood adverse experiences. These profiles were then used to explore intergroup differences in the use of substances (alcohol, cannabis, prescription opioids, hallucinogens, heroin, tobacco, and amphetamines). Results: Four profiles were identified in this sample: (1) moderate with low self-esteem (47.8%), (2) connected with low adversity (30.9%), (3) moderate with high self-esteem (11.5%), and (4) disconnected with adversity (9.7%). Significant differences between profiles in the frequency of use were found in all substances except for cannabis and hallucinogens. Of note, participants in the connected with low adversity profile reported significantly more frequent alcohol use (M ¼ 3.30) compared to the disconnected with adversity (M ¼ 2.89) and the moderate with low self-esteem (M ¼ 2.96) profiles. Additionally, the disconnected with adversity profile reported significantly more frequent tobacco use (M ¼ 1.99) compared to all other profiles. Conclusion: With a majority of the sample fitting profiles marked by mental health concerns, the present study indicates the need to identify and address risk and protective factors for SGM emerging adults' substance use and highlights differences within the larger SGM community. Implications for improving mental health are described.
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