What Predicts Stable Mental Health in the 18–29 Age Group Compared to Older Age Groups? Results from the Stockholm Public Health Cohort 2002–2014

Abstract

Mental health has decreased in young people since the 1990s, and mental health promotion is an urgent matter. A first step is to identify which social determinants could be of importance for intervention. We used the Stockholm Public Health Cohort, a longitudinal population-based health survey, completed by 31,000 inhabitants in the Stockholm County. We focused on the 18–29 age group, n = 3373 (60% females, 40% males) and aimed at assessing which social determinants predict stable mental health, measured as scoring <3 points on the General Health Questionnaire 12 at all time points: 2002, 2007, 2010, and 2014. Forty-six percent of males and 36% of females reported stable mental health. Among the 17 predictors on sociodemographics, socioeconomics, social capital, health behavior, and victimization, six predicted stable mental health in the following order: occupation and especially employment, emotional support, male gender, being born in Sweden, absence of financial strain, and consumption of fruit and berries. In the 30–84 age group, 66% males and 55% females reported stable mental health. Nine determinants in the following rank predicted stable mental health: absence of financial strain, occupation and especially being self-employed, emotional support, male gender, physical activity, instrumental support, interpersonal trust, community trust, and absence of hazardous alcohol consumption. Interaction analysis showed significant difference between the younger and older group regarding physical activity and absence of financial strain with importance being higher for the older group. Our findings indicate that the determinants of health differ across the life-course with fewer predictors related to social capital and health behavior in the younger group compared to the older. We conclude that health-promoting interventions should be lifespan-sensitive.

Bereavement stressors and psychosocial well-being of young adults following the loss of a parent – A cross-sectional survey

“…Young adults have demonstrated having less stable mental health, which includes symptoms of anxiety and depression, over a 12-year period, compared to adults older than 29 years. 39 The loss of a parent may furthermore be more problematic in young adults compared with parental loss for those in the ages 50 to 65, most likely because parental loss is more expected at older ages. 40 Therefore, young adulthood may constitute a particularly vulnerable period in life to lose a parent.…”

“…In a public health cohort of 18-29-year-olds in Sweden, high levels of occupation, and especially employment, as well as emotional support, were associated with the development of stable mental health, including symptoms of anxiety and depression, over a 12-year period. 39 On the other hand, although many young adults reported receiving support from others, for example, family members, symptoms of anxiety were prominent. In the Irish sample, higher symptoms of anxiety were associated with lower levels of life satisfaction, which in turn entailed a risk of symptoms of depression, 128 which suggests that the low levels of life satisfaction may be a risk in the sample of young adults as well.…”

Evaluation of Factors Associated with Anxiety and Depression in Chinese Visiting Scholars in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic Assessed by Online Questionnaires

“…Visiting scholars over 30 years old and those who were married had higher anxiety scores than those who were younger or unmarried. In contrast, a previous study found that the mental health stability rate was lower in subjects aged 18–29 years (39.8%) than in those aged 30–84 years (57.2%) [ 21 ]. That study found that for young people, occupational status, especially being employed, was of major importance in the development of stable mental health [ 21 ].…”

“…In contrast, a previous study found that the mental health stability rate was lower in subjects aged 18–29 years (39.8%) than in those aged 30–84 years (57.2%) [ 21 ]. That study found that for young people, occupational status, especially being employed, was of major importance in the development of stable mental health [ 21 ]. All respondents in our study had stable jobs, which may have been responsible for the more stable mental health of participants aged <30 years.…”

Contributions of Community Health Fund to Social Health Security in Kalambo District Rukwa, Tanzania

“…The results are centrally to UNFPA (2019) who argued that most of the elderly groups are busy with productive jobs hence they do not take care to their dependants. The study by Winzer et al (2018) claimed that the age of stable health is at 20 to 50 years old. Girei and Giron (2012) observed that CHF membership tends to increase with the relationship of the age of dependants who are much vulnerable to diseases.…”