Chronic illness and psychological problems in emerging adults: Moderation by perceived parental distress

Objective: The aim of the current study was to better understand if perceived parental distress moderates the effects of having a chronic illness and poor physical quality of life on psychological problems reported by emerging adults. Methods: Participants consisted of 538 college-attending emerging adults (53.5% women; 46.5% men). Participants completed an online study that was composed of questions regarding chronic illness, the World Health Organization Quality of Life - Brief, the Adult Self-Report scale, and the Adult Behavior Checklist. Results: In both emerging adult women and men, endorsing a chronic illness is significantly associated with psychological problems. Psychological problems in both emerging adult women and men were significantly predicted by the three-way interaction between endorsing a chronic illness, physical quality of life, and perceived maternal distress. Specifically, increased perceived maternal distress was associated with higher psychological problems in both emerging adult women and men with chronic illnesses and low physical quality of life. Discussion: For emerging adult women and men with a chronic illness, higher perceived maternal distress was associated with poorer psychological adjustment, while lower perceived maternal distress was associated with better psychological adjustment.