The Impact of Emotional Neglect, Psychological Disorders, and Alcohol Use Associated with Stress in Adults

Young adulthood represents a developmental transition that can be stressful. Past research has shown that stress is comorbid with psychological disorders and adverse early childhood experiences, implicating its importance in wellbeing. Drug use is a coping mechanism that is used by some adults to reduce stress. The purpose of this study is to examine alcohol use, mental health, and childhood experiences of neglect as predictors of stress in adults. The sample for this study included participants from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Add Health was designed to collect economic, social, health, and psychological information about young adults in the United States. Wave I data was collected from 20,745 adolescents (grades 7-12) from 1994-95. For this study, Wave IV data were used. Data were collected in 2008 from 15,701 adults ranging in age from 24-32 years. Retention in the Add Health Study from Wave I to IV was 80.3%. A secondary data analysis on the Add Health dataset was completed. A multiple regression showed increased self-reported childhood emotional neglect (feeling unloved by parents) and a lifetime diagnosis of depression or anxiety (past medical diagnosis) were positively associated with increased stress (Cohen Stress Scale) in adults. In addition, a higher intake of alcohol (per drinking occasion) predicted lower levels of stress. The advantage of this study was that variables known to be predictive of stress were evaluated together in one statistical model in a large, nationally representative dataset. This study showed an inverse relation between alcohol use and stress suggesting that future studies should consider whether alcohol use is a method coping with stress. The implication of this study is that previous experiences including childhood neglect and a past mental health diagnosis are important variables in understanding the current experience of stress in adulthood.