Psychological distress and substance use among young adults with comorbid asthma and obesity. Issue 8 (16th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hawkins, Misty A. W.; Clawson, Ashley H.; Smith, Caitlin E.; Stout, Madison E.; Keirns, Natalie G.; Ruppe, Nicole M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 68:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 914
• Page End: 921
• Publication Date: 2020-11-16
• Subjects: Adolescent -- asthma -- comorbidity -- obesity -- young adult; College students -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; College students -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; College students -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services -- Periodicals; 362.10883781980973
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1643353
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study examined psychosocial distress and substance use in young adults with asthma (A), obesity (O), comorbid asthma and obesity (AO), or neither (controls). Participants: Eight hundred eighty-one young adults were included in the A, O, AO, or control group. Methods: ANCOVA and logistic regression analyses were performed to compare responses to screeners for psychological distress and substance use among the four groups. Results: Levels of depressive symptoms, worry, nonsuicidal self-injury, emotion dysregulation, and chronic pain symptoms differed across groups, with the A and AO groups showing greater psychological distress than the O and control groups. The AO group exhibited the highest levels of cigarette and smokeless tobacco use, while the O group exhibited the least frequent binge drinking behaviors. Conclusions: Individuals with asthma or comorbid asthma and obesity appear to experience the poorest psychosocial functioning and highest use of tobacco products. Potential mechanisms and implications of these relationships are discussed.