Launching Anxious Young Adults: A Specialized Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Transitional Aged Youth

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health diagnoses among emerging adults, and individuals suffering from these disorders often experience compounding functional impairments across health, financial, and social domains. While evidence-based treatments exist for both child/adolescent anxiety disorders and adult anxiety disorders, no specialized assessment or treatment methods have been established for the unique period of emerging adulthood. Our review examines literature pertinent to anxiety disorders in emerging adulthood and describes a novel, specialized intervention to address the unique challenges faced by anxious emerging adults. The Launching Emerging Adults Program (LEAP) is a developmentally informed cognitive-behavioral treatment model that aims to simultaneously reduce anxiety symptoms and promote independence. We conclude with a discussion of lessons learned and future directions.

Exposure to ethnic discrimination in social media and symptoms of anxiety and depression among Hispanic emerging adults: Examining the moderating role of gender

“…Epidemiological surveillance in the United States indicates that emerging adults (ages 18–25) report the highest prevalence of elevated symptoms of depression (13.1%) in comparison to adolescents and all other adult age groups (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2018). Although there is little to no nationally representative data on the prevalence of symptoms of generalized anxiety among emerging adults, researchers have indicated that the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety increase from adolescence to emerging adulthood, and anxiety symptoms/disorders, particularly generalized anxiety, are the most prevalent mental health problems that affect emerging adults in the US (Hoffman, Guerry, & Albano, 2018; Kranzler, Elkins, & Albano, 2019; Tanner, 2016). It is hypothesized that emerging adults are at high risk of developing symptoms of depression and anxiety because this life stage is marked with significant life transitions, high levels of instability, and taking on new and challenging developmental tasks (Arnett, 2000; Arnett, Žukauskienė, & Sugimura, 2014).…”

Avoidance in Adolescence: The Balloon Risk Avoidance Task (BRAT)

“…For instance not trying out for a team, expanding a friend group, moving away from home or taking other "healthy risks". Along these lines, recent work frames "failure to launch" (gaining independence from one's parents) as a form of avoidance linked anxiety in the transition to adulthood (Hoffman et al, 2018;Lebowitz, 2016).…”

Research Review: The neuroscience of emerging adulthood – reward, ambiguity, and social support as building blocks of mental health

“…This could be addressed by programs that teach youth to approach rather than avoid novel situations, and, in parallel, teach parents to support emerging adult independence. Already, developmentally tailored interventions such as the Launching Emerging Adults Program (LEAP; Hoffman, Guerry, & Albano, 2018) are producing encouraging results. Similarly, a clearer understanding of the influence of peer social support on SUDs and depression may highlight how peers may be more leveraged during treatment.…”