Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Sociology

Supervisor

Andrea E. Willson

Abstract

This thesis considers mental and physical health outcomes experienced by young adults who live in their parents’ home during young adulthood. The life course perspective suggests that this “off-time” transition may lead to stigmatization and stress, and subsequently, health problems. This research uses the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), a nationally representative longitudinal sample of adolescents living in the United States. Wave four was primarily used, during which respondents are between 25-34 years of age (N=2776).

Although living with parents did not significantly increase CES-D or BMI, findings suggest CES-D was affected for those who have physical limitations and live with their parents, and BMI was impacted for some racial/ethnic groups and for those who were previously overweight or obese and lived with their parents. Overall, this thesis lends support to recent research suggesting that living with parents in young adulthood is no longer an off-time transition.

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