Past Projects

The transition from adolescence to young adulthood is a time of many personal and social role changes, including leaving home, pursuit of higher education, new social relationships, greater independence and increased responsibility. During this time, issues such as substance use and mental health problems can often emerge or escalate. We are developing a research project in which we seek to examine the following research questions among young adults transitioning away from high school and into postsecondary education:

• The effects of changes in peer influence, stress, interpersonal violence, psychosocial processes related to the life stage of emerging adulthood and family environment on substance use and mental health among young adults during the transition away from high school into post-secondary education, with a focus on gender differences.
• If personal resources (e.g. coping) and social resources (e.g. social capital) modify the effects of peer influence, stress, interpersonal violence, psychosocial processes related to the life stage of emerging adulthood, and family environment on these outcomes. The goal of this work is to inform the development and design of effective interventions to prevent and support mental health and substance use problems among emerging young adults.

Relevant Publications

• Kirst, M.J., Mecredy, G., Borland, T. & Chaiton, M. (2014). Predictors of substance use among young adults transitioning away from high school: A narrative review. Substance Use & Misuse, 49(13), 1795-1807.