Role Status Changes During Emerging Adulthood and Their Association with Substance Use, Mental Health, and Well-Being Outcomes over a 4-Year Period

Abstract Emerging adulthood encompasses important life changes; however, few studies examine how combinations of role status changes (e.g., living situation, pursuit of education) affect behavioral health over time. This study examines how changes in combinations of role statuses over 4 years are associated with substance use, mental health, and life satisfaction outcomes. Participants are from a cohort ( N = 2174) of young people surveyed annually since 2008 (55% female; 47% Hispanic, 23% Asian, 22% White). This study focuses on wave 11 (mean age = 21) and wave 14 (mean age = 25). Latent transition analyses identified distinct changes in role statuses and evaluated whether particular changes were associated with important differences on outcomes. We also examined whether disparities existed for transition analyses based on race and ethnicity, as well as sexual and/or gender diverse (SGD) status. Regardless of young people’s starting point (e.g., Employed and in Relationship , Away at College , Graduated and Working ), those who transitioned into the Launched class typically had lower depression and anxiety scores, lower likelihood of alcohol and cannabis use disorders, and higher life satisfaction. In contrast, those who transitioned into the Extended Transition (e.g., longer transition to different roles) class reported the poorest outcomes. Hispanic young people and those who indicated SGD identity were more likely to be in the Extended Transition class. Diverse pathways can promote “success” that may not meet societal expectations of “normative” trajectories. It is critical to examine combinations of role status changes during emerging adulthood to provide a better understanding of the interplay of these changes and how they affect outcomes.