(PS2-8) Examining the Interplay of Emotion Regulation, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, and Healthcare Utilization in Emerging Adults: The Role of Structural and Identity-Based Factors

Abstract Text: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are highly prevalent, burdensome, and frequently linked to higher stress and healthcare use. Emerging adulthood is a critical developmental period characterized by significant life transitions, heightened stress exposure, and increased vulnerability to both psychological distress and GI dysfunction. While prior research has established the link between stress and GI symptoms, less is known about the role of emotion dysregulation which may be a key mechanism underlying this link, as well as the role of structural and identity-based factors in shaping this relationship. Given the imperative to enhance the reach of cognitive and behavioral therapies (CBTs), it is essential to identify emotional and contextual factors that contribute to health disparities in GI symptom burden that can be addressed in treatment. This study aims to (1) examine the relationship between emotion regulation, GI symptoms, and healthcare utilization in emerging adults; and (2) investigate how structural determinants, including college generation status (CGS) and socioeconomic status (SES), and gender identity are related to emotion regulation, GI symptoms, and healthcare usage. A total of 827 college students (Mage= 19.97± 4.49, 64.4% female, 29% male, 6.5% other,) representing an ethically diverse sample (86% non-White), were recruited from five public colleges in New York City. Participants completed an online survey for class assignment credit that assessed GI symptoms (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale), emotion dysregulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Short Form), demographics (gender, age, ethnicity, CGS, SES), and healthcare usage (number of general practitioner visits). GI symptoms were found to be common in this sample (M=13.69±13.51). Using Pearson correlations, only greater emotion dysregulation was associated with more GI symptoms (p <.01). There was no association between healthcare use with GI symptoms or emotion dysregulation (aim 1). Higher SES was associated with less emotion dysregulation (p <.05) and more frequent healthcare use (p <.01) (aim 2). Using multiple one-way ANOVAs, no differences in study measures were found based on college generation status, but significant differences were found based on gender identity for all measures (all p<.05). Post-hoc Tukey analyses revealed that males had significantly fewer GI symptoms compared to females and other gender identities, and other gender identities sought out significantly more medical visits compared to females and males (p <.01). Females reported elevated emotional dysregulation compared to males, but it was not significant (p=.06). This study found that more GI-symptoms were linked with greater emotion dysregulation and certain gender identities among the sample of college students. Furthermore, higher SES was linked with worse emotion regulation and seeking more medical care. Understanding the relationship between economic and gender disparities with health outcomes can inform how assessment and treatment of both mental (emotional dysregulation) and physical health (GI symptoms) could be improved in healthcare.