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Healthcare
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Social Determinants of Health/Mental Health Among Youth and Young Adults
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Social Determinants of Health/Mental Health Among Youth and Young Adults

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Assessments".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2025) | Viewed by 12326

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Shiyou Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
Interests: social determinants of behavioral health (e.g., substance use, depression); interventions to reduce health and social disparities; health disparities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Youth and young adults (YYAs) experience critical life stages of physical, psychological, and social development; their health and well-being directly impact the future of human society. Social determinants of health represent a broad spectrum of upperstream factors that have a significant impact on individuals’ health behaviors and outcomes. These determinants are largely shaped by public policy, economic status, access to healthcare, education, neighborhoods and built environments, culture and beliefs, social injustice, and disparities. With technological evolutions, increased complexities, and rapid social structural changes in today’s era, there is a pressing need for more scientific evidence on the relationship between the changing society and the health of future generations. We invite you to submit research manuscripts that are dedicated to deepening our understanding of how social factors impact the health and mental health of YYA. This Special Issue aims to highlight innovative research and reviews that align with the journal’s scope, specifically focusing on how social determinants influence the health/mental health and development of YYAs. We seek to gather a collection of works that offer new insights, methodologies, and evidence-based strategies to inform healthcare research, practice, and policy aimed to collectively tackle this challenge. We welcome submissions on the following topics:

  • Systematic reviews summarizing and synthesizing current evidence of social determinants of health and mental health among YYAs;
  • Quantitative and qualitative research that uses an intersectional approach to examine or explore social determinants of health among YYAs;
  • Papers developing or refining measurement, conceptual, or theoretical models related to the social determinants of health and mental health among YYAs;
  • Papers examining policy or programs that address social determinants among YYAs.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and to the insightful discussions that will emerge from this Special Issue.

Dr. Shiyou Wu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • social determinants of health
  • health
  • mental health
  • youth
  • young adults

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 253 KB  
Article
Suicidal Ideation, Depression, Anxiety, Impulsivity, Self-Esteem, Emotional Regulation, Child Trauma and Hopelessness in Korean Military Soldiers
by Yeon Seo Lee, Youngil Lee and Myung Ho Lim
Healthcare 2025, 13(18), 2356; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13182356 - 18 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1409
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Suicide is the leading cause of death among South Korean military soldiers, accounting for more than 70% of all deaths. This issue is particularly relevant in the military context due to the nature of living in groups in a controlled environment. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Suicide is the leading cause of death among South Korean military soldiers, accounting for more than 70% of all deaths. This issue is particularly relevant in the military context due to the nature of living in groups in a controlled environment. This study was conducted active-duty south Korean male soldiers aged 18 to 28 who were performing mandatory military service for one year and six months. Additionally, it compares and analyzes the differences in suicidal ideation and risk factors between military soldiers and a comparison group consisting of males in their 20s without military experience. Methods: This study included 248 Korean soldiers and 292 general controls, totaling 540 participants. The research instruments used for evaluation included the Beck Scale of Suicide Ideation (BSI), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLAS), and the State-Beck Hopelessness Scale (S-BHS). Results: The results of this study showed that suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and self-esteem were significantly higher in the military group compared to the comparison group. Conversely, emotional dysregulation was considerably lower in the soldiers than in the comparison group. No significant differences were found in childhood trauma, stress, loneliness, and hopelessness between the two groups. Multiple regression analysis within the military group revealed that childhood trauma, hopelessness, and depression were major factors influencing suicidal ideation. Conclusions: These findings will help identify risk factors for suicide among soldiers and develop effective intervention strategies to prevent it. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Determinants of Health/Mental Health Among Youth and Young Adults)
15 pages, 1024 KB  
Article
The Relationship Between Social Anxiety and Depression Among Rural High School Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Social Comparison and Social Support
by Yang Cao, Jia Wang, Ziqin Huang, Yiming Qin, Siyu Gao, Huiping Zhang, Meng Yuan and Xinfeng Tang
Healthcare 2025, 13(5), 533; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13050533 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 4269
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to explore the impact of social anxiety on depression among high school students and examine the parallel mediating roles of social comparison and social support. Methods: A total of 806 rural high school students were surveyed using [...] Read more.
Objective: This study aimed to explore the impact of social anxiety on depression among high school students and examine the parallel mediating roles of social comparison and social support. Methods: A total of 806 rural high school students were surveyed using the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, the Social Phobia Inventory, the Chinese version of the Social Comparison Orientation Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results: Social anxiety and social comparison were significantly and positively correlated with depression, while social support exhibited a significant negative correlation with depression. The direct effect of social anxiety on depression was also found to be significant. Moreover, social comparison and social support both played significant parallel mediating roles in the relationship between social anxiety and depression. Conclusions: Social anxiety has a direct positive predictive effect on depression, and this effect can be indirectly mediated through the parallel roles of social comparison and social support. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Determinants of Health/Mental Health Among Youth and Young Adults)
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25 pages, 791 KB  
Systematic Review
The Effectiveness of Art Therapy on Children and Adolescents with ASD: A Systematic Review of RCTs
by Shijuan Wei, Angel Hor Yan Lai and Howard Wing Hong Ho
Healthcare 2025, 13(22), 2960; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222960 - 18 Nov 2025
Viewed by 2158
Abstract
Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. Traditional interventions such as Applied Behavior Analysis and sensory integration therapy often lack a person-centered approach. Art therapy offers a creative and holistic alternative for supporting children [...] Read more.
Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. Traditional interventions such as Applied Behavior Analysis and sensory integration therapy often lack a person-centered approach. Art therapy offers a creative and holistic alternative for supporting children and adolescents with ASD. Objectives: This study systematically reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness, modalities, formats, and methodological quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving art therapy interventions for children and adolescents with ASD. Methods: A systematic search of eight databases identified 12 RCTs involving art therapy for children and adolescents with ASD. Intervention outcomes, formats, and methodological rigor were assessed through this systematic review. Methodological rigor was assessed using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 tool, and the Delphi list with four additional items. Results: Art therapy showed promise in reducing ASD symptoms and stress-related symptoms, and in improving social communication, motor skills, language, and neurodevelopment. Most studies had limitations, including small sample sizes, short durations, a high risk of bias, and low methodological quality. Conclusions: Although existing studies suggest that art therapy may benefit children and adolescents with ASD, further rigorously designed studies are required to establish its efficacy and inform evidence-based practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Determinants of Health/Mental Health Among Youth and Young Adults)
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15 pages, 3642 KB  
Systematic Review
Risk and Protective Factors for Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Asian American Young Adults: A Systematic Review
by Yong Li, Tzu-Fen Chang, Qing Zhou, Kathryn Li, Philip Baiden and Mark S. Kaplan
Healthcare 2025, 13(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13010018 - 25 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2763
Abstract
Background: Asian American (AA) young adults, including AA college students, may experience more suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) compared to other racial and ethnic groups of the same age. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first systematic review [...] Read more.
Background: Asian American (AA) young adults, including AA college students, may experience more suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) compared to other racial and ethnic groups of the same age. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first systematic review of the risk and protective factors for STBs with a focus on AA young adults. Methods: Informed by the social-ecological perspective and the cultural model and theory of suicide, this study systematically reviews the risk and protective factors for STBs among AA young adults. Based on 22 research articles published between 1998 and 2023, we analyzed and discussed the effects of 37 risk and 15 protective factors at the individual, relationship, community, societal, and cultural levels. Results: Most risk factors are at the individual level (e.g., depressive symptoms and hopelessness), followed by factors at the cultural level (e.g., acculturation and acculturative stress), the relationship level (e.g., family problems and romantic relationship problems), the community level (e.g., verbal threats on campus), and the societal level (e.g., public stigma about mental health). Also, most protective factors are at the individual level (e.g., self-reliance and fear of suicide), followed by the relationship level (e.g., social support and family responsibilities), the community level (e.g., religious affiliations), and the cultural level (desire not to burden others). Conclusions: This systematic review emphasizes the need for future research to explore cultural factors, subgroup differences, and longitudinal designs, while advocating for culturally specific prevention and intervention strategies to improve mental health outcomes for AAYAs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Determinants of Health/Mental Health Among Youth and Young Adults)
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