Work and depression during emerging adulthood: Longitudinal associations of general and phase specific factors with...

Depression is highly prevalent among emerging adults (ages 18-29), a developmental phase marked by identity exploration, instability, and major life transitions. Despite evidence linking work conditions to mental health, the role of work-related factors in depression during emerging adulthood has received limited longitudinal attention.

The present study investigated risk and protective factors associated with depressive symptoms at the end of a three-year longitudinal study, with a particular focus on work-related experiences. At baseline, 1209 participants (M = 23.77 years) reported life satisfaction, work characteristics, occupational identity, and demographic variables. Follow-up measurements across four annual waves included work-related self-efficacy, coping with work-related stress, and critical life events. Depressive symptoms were assessed at the final wave (N = 954) using the CES-D scale. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses evaluated the incremental contribution of risk and protective factors.

Baseline life satisfaction emerged as a negative correlate of later depressive symptoms. Work-related stress as well as identity-related factors, i.e. ruminative exploration and perceived instability, were significantly positively associated with depression scores three years later. Critical life events were also positively linked to later depressive symptoms. Whereas avoidant coping was related to higher depression, active coping and work-related self-efficacy were associated with lower depressive symptoms. Logistic regression analyses using clinical CES-D cut-offs confirmed the robustness of avoidant coping as a key factor.

Although the absence of baseline depression measures warrants the interpretations of all associations as correlational and not causal, the findings highlight the importance of work-related stress, identity processes, life satisfaction, and coping styles for mental health during emerging adulthood. Interventions targeting adaptive coping and self-efficacy may help mitigate depression risk during this developmental transition.