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The ABC-X’s of Stress among U.S. Emerging Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Relationship Quality, Financial Distress, and Mental Health

Author

Listed:
  • Ashley B. LeBaron-Black

    (School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

  • Jeremy B. Yorgason

    (School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

  • Melissa A. Curran

    (Department of Family Studies and Human Development, University of Arizona, McClelland Park Rm. 235F, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA)

  • Matthew T. Saxey

    (School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

  • Rachel M. Okamoto

    (School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

Abstract

Many emerging adults have experienced increased financial distress and mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, and isolation may have amplified the importance of close relationships (especially as parents’ influence diminishes during this developmental stage). Using the ABC-X Model to frame our model, we tested whether financial distress (C) mediates the associations between COVID-19 impact (A) and anxiety and depressive symptoms (X), and whether or not romantic relationship quality (B) moderates these indirect associations. Our sample comprised of 1950 U.S. emerging adults in a romantic relationship. Mediation and first-stage moderated mediation were tested using structural equation modeling. Financial distress partially mediated the association between COVID-19 impact and anxiety symptoms and fully mediated the association between COVID-19 impact and depressive symptoms. Strong evidence of moderated mediation was found but in the opposite direction expected: the indirect associations of COVID-19 impact with anxiety and depressive symptoms (through financial distress) were stronger for those in high-quality romantic relationships. The findings may inform policy and practice aimed at optimizing the mental health of emerging adults, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic: specifically, alleviating financial distress may improve the mental health of emerging adults, while focusing on the quality of their romantic relationships may not.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashley B. LeBaron-Black & Jeremy B. Yorgason & Melissa A. Curran & Matthew T. Saxey & Rachel M. Okamoto, 2022. "The ABC-X’s of Stress among U.S. Emerging Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Relationship Quality, Financial Distress, and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13125-:d:940184
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    References listed on IDEAS

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