Abstract
This study examined how family experiences and daily stress were associated with relationship strategies, health, and well-being in emerging adulthood. The sample consisted of 862 college students (Age range = 18–25; M age = 19.52, SD = 1.33; 57.8% female) who completed anonymous online surveys. Results indicated links between high levels of daily stress and low levels of parental involvement and cohabitation with their partner. Compared to those who were single or dating but not cohabitating, emerging adults who cohabitated with their partner had significantly higher weight (BMI), more depressive symptoms, lower emotion regulation, and reported more risky sexual behavior. These findings are consistent with other investigations of family life factors that influence life history strategy and extend them to the unique and vulnerable transitional period of emerging adulthood. The role of parental involvement in shaping psychosocial correlates during emerging adulthood, as illuminated by these findings, underscores its association with developmental trajectories.
Public Significance Statement
Emerging adulthood is a distinct phase in human development often characterized by developing social and economic skills often with the support of parents or other kin but can be disrupted by adversity and lack of parental investment. We find that emerging adults who experienced daily stress and low parental involvement were more likely to cohabitate earlier with their romantic partner and were more likely to experience negative health outcomes. Our findings underscore the impact of relationships on mental and physical health and have implications for health care professionals.
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Data Availability
Authors will share upon request.
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JBC and MC conceptualized the study. JBC wrote the main manuscript text. MC was primarily responsible for the analyses and table preparation. TS and EW wrote portions of the manuscript. All authors reviewed and edited the manuscript.
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Byrd-Craven, J., Criss, M., Short, V. et al. The Familial and Health Correlates of Early Cohabitation during Emerging Adulthood. Evolutionary Psychological Science (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40806-025-00462-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40806-025-00462-2