Using a more nuanced index of mental health, this study replicated the finding of a dramatic surge of mental health issues occurring among emerging adults in recent years. It also extends our extant knowledge by suggesting that population changes in MUDs occur across the age spectrum starting in 2015 but are most pronounced among emerging adults. Furthermore, these changes in perceived mental health, particularly among young people, are considerably more dramatic than previous increases (between 1993-2001), which were observed in both PUDs and MUDS, and were most common among age 45-64.5
This study cannot determine the causal mechanisms driving this trend. Nevertheless, there is emerging and foundational psychological research that may shed light on this phenomenon. Researchers have proposed several potential contributors as to why emerging adults are experiencing higher rates of mental distress compared to other age groups, as well as the underlying adversarial mechanisms within these contributors.7 These potential contributors include the introduction of social media, disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing social isolation, shifts in political and social discourse, and economic disparities and financial stress. Given the pervasive rise of social media during the past decade, it is important to consider how changes in social media engagement may impact how people, particularly emerging adults, appraise and navigate stressful events.
Over the past decade, social media platforms have become an integral part of life, with a particularly marked impact for young adults who came of age during or after this technological shift. Social media, while offering opportunities for connection, self-expression, and information exchange, can also contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety due to pressure to present an idealized self-image, feelings of inadequacy compared to others, and/or exposure to cyberbullying.8 Furthermore, the immediacy, ubiquity, and inescapable nature of social media can expose young adults to an overwhelming amount of information, including global crises or distressing events, which can amplify stress and anxiety.9 In fact, the US Surgeon General’s Advisories published a public statement warning of the potential negative impact of social media on youth, which may carry through to adulthood and amplify risks for developing and perpetuating mental health issues.10
Relatedly, social media appears to change the way people perceive, interpret, and cope with stressors or traumatic events. Therefore, the amplification of negative events though social media is concerning, particularly knowing that emerging adults often appraise traumatic events and stressors more negatively.11 The interplay between experiencing an event, appraising that event, engaging in a coping strategy, and the resultant impact on mental health has been well established. However, less is known about how society-level factors impact event appraisal. Factors such as political unrest, the emergence and awareness of global warming,12 as well as changing attitudes towards mental health services13 can impact how we interpret and respond to an event through social media. Additionally, how individuals appraise stressors can vary greatly based on factors, such as their personal and social resources, prior experiences, and current mental health.14 Engaging in effective coping strategies, particularly proactive coping, are known to help individuals navigate themselves through stressful life events, while ineffective coping strategies, such as catastrophizing, can exacerbate feelings of stress and anxiety, leading to poorer mental health outcomes.15
Implications
Given that the number of MUDs experienced by young adults was steadily increasing prior to 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic can be ruled out as the sole determinant of the surge of mental health issues among young adults. However, it is possible that the COVID-19 pandemic is a major contributor to higher rates from 2020 to 2022. Additional research is warranted, particularly an examination of the potential interactions between increased social media engagement, shifts in the appraisal of stressful events, and the surge of mental health issues among young adults. Regardless, this study identifies a clear need and undeniable concern to address the mechanisms underlying this dramatic increase in mentally unhealthy days among young adults, which appears to be also increasingly common in mid-life.