Lifestyle Behavior Patterns During the Transition From Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood: Associations With Mental Health and Wellbeing

The synergistic role played by multiple lifestyle behaviors on mental health during the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood has not been extensively studied. This study included 493 participants who self-reported on a range of health behaviors during adolescence and emerging adulthood, and psychological distress and mental wellbeing during emerging adulthood. Latent profile analysis and latent transition analysis were used to analyze the data. Three unique behavioral profiles were observed at baseline: moderately physically active abstainers (i.e., abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana), high screen time users, and moderately physically active and moderate risk behaviors. Four unique behavioral profiles were observed at follow-up: highly physically active with moderate risk behaviors, moderately physically active with moderate risk behaviors, physically inactive abstainers, and physically inactive with risky behaviors. Adolescents characterized as moderately active abstainers reported fewer symptoms of psychological distress during emerging adulthood compared to adolescents who displayed moderately active and moderate risk behaviors, and better mental wellbeing than high screen time users.