2 - (SYM 83) Does High or Higher-than-usual Stress Predict Weekly Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms Among Native American Young Adults? Considering the Role of Emotion Regulation

Emerging adulthood is a critical developmental period marked by elevated mental health concerns among Native Americans. Death by suicide is highest among Native peoples aged 20-29, with rates nearly double those of age-mates from other racial/ethnic groups. Depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation have also increased among Native college students over the past decade. Stress is a well-established risk factor for mental health concerns, yet research has not delineated the impact of proximal stressors on mental health in this population. Longitudinal research has found that high stress relative to one’s average, rather than high stress relative to others, most impact fluctuations in mental health. This study examines whether: 1) stress experiences are associated with depression (PHQ) and anxiety (GAD) symptoms at a weekly timescale; 2) these effects are stronger when modeling stress at the group (higher relative to others) or individual level (higher than one’s usual); and 3) difficulties in emotion regulation (DERS) plays a role in linking stress and mental health problems among Native young adults.

This study is ongoing (expected N = 120 by November). The current sample includes 50 Native young adults (ages 18-26; 63% Two-Spirit/LGBQ+; 58% college-enrolled) surveyed weekly for four weeks (n obvs = 168). Single time point measures included DERS and racial misclassification. Repeated measures included PHQ, GAD, number of stressors experienced that week, and perceived stress (e.g., how stressful participants rated events to be). Models covaried for 2SLGBQ+ identity and racial misclassification to examine the impacts of weekly stressors while accounting for minority stress burden broadly.

Mixed-effect regressions found significantly higher PHQ and GAD on weeks with perceived stress that was higher relative to others (BPHQ = 0.56; BGAD = 0.51), but lower than one’s usual (BPHQ = -0.37; BGAD = -0.34). When including DERS as a predictor, a greater number of stressors relative to others (BPHQ = 0.42), but not higher perceived stress, significantly predicted PHQ. Neither stress index significantly predicted GAD beyond DERS. Further full-sample analysis will examine cross-lagged effects between stress and PHQ/GAD as well as the mediating effect of DERS.

This project highlights proximal links between stress and PHQ/GAD among Native young adults, positioning DERS as a key factor. Such longitudinal research that characterizes how mental health fluctuates over time is necessary for identifying inroads for intervention for this underserved group.