Stress and Psychological Distress in Emerging Adulthood: A Gender Analysis

Abstract

Emerging adulthood is a critical period of life that entails many life transitions in living arrangements, relationships, education and employment, which can generate stress and psychological distress in the emerging adult. The aim of the present study was to assess the relevance of stress, coping styles, self-esteem and perceived social support in the distress of emerging adult women and men. The sample consists of 4816 people (50% females) from the Spanish general population, ranging in age from 18 to 29 years old. All participants were assessed through questionnaires and scales that assess psychological distress, stress, coping styles, self-esteem and social support. Women scored higher than men in psychological distress, chronic stress, minor daily hassles, emotional coping style and social support, whereas men scored higher than women in rational and detachment coping styles and in self-esteem. Psychological distress was significantly predicted in women and men by high emotional coping style, lower self-esteem, high number of life events, and less social support. Another statistically significant predictor in men was less detachment coping style, whereas in women it was high chronic stress. The results of this research are relevant to healthcare professionals interested in improving the mental health of the emerging adult.

Lack of Social Support and Its Role on Self-Perceived Health in a Representative Sample of Spanish Adults. Another Aspect of Gender Inequality

“…Among them, social support seems to have an effect on health [ 42 ]. In fact, the lack of relationships or social bonds was associated with physical or mental disorders [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ]. Furthermore, social isolation, especially among the elderly, leads to lower health care utilisation, which produces poorer health status [ 48 ].…”

Emotion management and stereotypes about emotions among male nurses: a qualitative study

“…When male nurses express a preference for more technical areas, this preference can in itself represent a strategy of emotion management, since it makes it possible to feel a sense of accomplishment in a scenario in which the probability of success (such as the survival of the person being cared for) can be low [ 24 ]. Notably, overall distress is more prevalent in women regardless of occupation, and women are more likely to use emotional coping strategies [ 12 ]. However, in the case of nursing, distress is more prevalent in men and men use rational coping strategies [ 18 , 22 ].…”

“…The first strategy we detected was emotional distancing . This strategy involves staying emotionally separate from patients to maintain neutrality, an approach that is also described as feeling separate from events and the emotions that they generate [ 12 ], which is identified with greater protection of the nurse’s mental health and a more professional treatment of the patient [ 51 ]. Emotional distancing, in the more physical sense of the term, is associated with males [ 10 ].…”

“…Professionals must deal with their own emotions without forgetting that their social context conditions how they manage them. Traditionally men are assigned a role in which emotion management is considered secondary, because it is associated primarily with women [ 12 , 13 ].…”

“…As men, male nurses are often typecast in conventional masculinity, setting aside their emotional side to present themselves as rational, autonomous and technically or physically competent [ 23 ]. Men, regardless of their occupation, tend to use rational coping strategies—developing plans to manage problems, establishing realistic expectations—which is in turn linked to less chronic stress [ 12 ]. However, in the context of professional care, male nurses have to reformulate their role as men to adapt to the emotional nature of their work.…”