Health of Young Adults Experiencing Social Marginalization and Vulnerability: A Cross-National Longitudinal Study

Jessica A. Heerde (), Gabriel J. Merrin, Vi T. Le, John W. Toumbourou and Jennifer A. Bailey
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Jessica A. Heerde: Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Australia
Gabriel J. Merrin: Department of Human Development and Family Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
Vi T. Le: Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
John W. Toumbourou: Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville 3052, Australia
Jennifer A. Bailey: Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98115, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: People who experience social marginalization and vulnerability have uniquely complex health needs and are at risk of poor health outcomes. Regression analyses using longitudinal data from a cross-national, population-based sample of young adults participating in the International Youth Development Study, tested associations between social marginalization and vulnerabilities and physical health, mental health, and substance use outcomes. Participants from Victoria, Australia, and Washington State in the US were surveyed at ages 25 (2014) and 29 years (2018; N = 1944; 46.7% male). A history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), LGBT identity, financial insecurity, and justice system involvement at age 25 predicted poor health outcomes at age 28, including lower perceived health status, risk for chronic illness, depression and anxiety symptoms, and diagnosed mental health/substance use disorders. Tests of model equivalence across states showed that a history of ACEs was more strongly related to health status and serious injury at age 28 and justice system involvement at age 25 was more strongly related to age 28 serious injury in Victoria than in Washington State. Findings strengthen the case for future population-based research identifying life-course interventions and state policies for reducing poor health and improving health equity among members of socially marginalized groups.

Keywords: homelessness; adverse childhood experiences; LGBT; justice system involvement; financial insecurity; young adults; marginalization; physical health; mental health; substance use; longitudinal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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