Advisor(s)
Sylvie Mrug
Committee Member(s)
Christopher Henrich
Jamie Gajos
Joseph Wolfe
Robin Lanzi
School
College of Arts and Sciences
Document Type
Dissertation
Department (new version)
Psychology
Date of Award
9-11-2025
Abstract
ADULT ROLE TRANSITIONS AND SUBSTANCE USE IN BLACK AND WHITE YOUNG ADULTS ABSTRACT Substance use, including alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, often begins during adolescence and young adulthood, which is a developmental period marked by major life transitions such as graduating college, entering full-time employment, and parenthood. Adult role transition patterns may influence substance use and mental health outcomes; however, limited research has examined these associations in racially and socioeconomically diverse populations. The present study explored patterns of adult role transitions and their associations with substance use and mental health symptoms among young adults using data from Wave 4 of the Birmingham Youth Violence Study (N=303; 81% Black, 56% female). Participants reported on five adult role transitions including graduating college, living independently, entering employment, becoming a parent, and getting married. Latent class and latent profile analyses were used to identify patterns based on type and timing of transitions, respectively. Multinomial logistic regressions examined the extent to which race, sex, age, and early socioeconomic status predicted group membership. Hierarchical multivariate regressions assessed associations between adult role transition patterns and past-year alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use, and recent symptoms of depression and PTSD. Three latent classes and four latent profiles were found: hibernators, independent without children, and independent with children (LCA); and early independent with children, early workers with children, educated later independent without children, and educated later workers without children (LPA). Earlier or more complex transitions, especially those involving early parenthood, were associated with higher cannabis use and, in some cases, more mental health symptoms. Conversely, delayed and fewer transitions were linked to lower depression and PTSD symptoms. Early socioeconomic status and age were significant predictors of transition patterns, while sex and race interactions revealed nuanced differences in outcomes. For example, Black males with early and complex transitions reported higher cannabis use, whereas Black females with limited transitions reported lower depressive and PTSD symptoms. This study adds to the literature by identifying both timing- and type-based transition patterns in a predominantly Black sample of young adults. Findings underscore the importance of developmental timing, early-life context, and intersecting identities in understanding substance use and mental health in young adulthood. Keywords: Adult role transitions, substance use, mental health, Black young adults, young adulthood
ProQuest ID
Recommended Citation
McMahan, Kristina Brooke, "Adult Role Transitions And Substance Use In Black And White Young Adults" (2025). All ETDs from UAB. 7338.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/7338
