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Purpose and mastery as predictors of perceived health and substance use problems
Author(s) -
Stoddard Sarah A.,
Pierce Jennifer,
Hurd Noelle M.,
Bauermeister José A.,
Zimmerman Marc A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.22200
Subject(s) - coping (psychology) , psychology , substance use , clinical psychology , purpose in life , developmental psychology
We explored whether purpose in life and mastery predicted perceived physical health and problematic substance use among a sample of emerging adults who reported ever using alcohol or drugs. We examined perceived stress and coping as potential mediators of these associations and explored whether parental support moderated any of these associations. In a sample of emerging adults from across the United States ( N = 2,564; M age = 20.87, standard deviation = 1.75; 49.6% male), purpose in life and mastery were associated with better‐perceived health and fewer negative consequences of drug use via lower perceived stress and coping. In addition, parental support modified the relationship between purpose in life and stress and coping. The findings suggest potential health benefits associated with a greater purpose in life and mastery and indicate that parental support may enhance these associations.