Contextual and personal factors as predictors of interpersonal conflict in emerging adult men

Social determinants are contextual factors that influence health outcomes through individuals' living, working, and social conditions, alongside overarching structural dimensions that shape these conditions. In contrast, demographic factors refer to personal characteristics, such as age and ethnicity, which shape individual experiences. Understanding these experiences requires examining how aspects of identity interact with one another and with societal structures of power. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between contextual and personal factors and interpersonal conflict among emerging adult men.

A secondary analysis of 322 individuals utilized multiple linear regression analyses to assess the relationships between contextual factors and interpersonal conflict experiences. Key predictors included age, race/ethnicity, education status, employment status, individual income, and current health insurance. Moderation analyses were performed to explore the interactive effects of these individual characteristics and perceptions of physical safety on interpersonal conflict.

Our findings revealed several significant predictors of interpersonal conflict. Notably, lack of health insurance was positively associated with experiences of interpersonal conflict (β = 0.09, p < 0.001). Unemployment (β = 0.58, p < 0.01) and housing instability (β = 0.65, p < 0.001) also significantly contributed to this outcome. Concerns about safety in living environments correlated with increased experiences of interpersonal conflict (β = 0.58, p < 0.001). Additionally, age positively influenced interpersonal conflict among Hispanic participants (β = 0.05, p < 0.01), indicating that older individuals reported heightened levels of conflict. Interaction effects demonstrated that Hispanic participants with greater concerns about physical safety experienced increased levels of interpersonal conflict (β = 0.72, p < 0.05).

This study identified that external factors, such as lack of health insurance, unemployment, housing instability, and safety concerns were associated with experiences of interpersonal conflict. Unmet basic needs, like housing, can lead to transactional behaviors, which elevate health risks. Future studies should employ mixed methods and longitudinal designs to explore the mechanisms underlying these associations. Implications for practice include healthcare providers incorporating routine assessments of housing stability and safety concerns into clinical encounters. Implications for policy include prioritization for increasing access to healthcare and addressing structural barriers.