Mental Health Risk Among Members of the Millennial Population Cohort: A Concern for Public Health

Purpose: Within the millennial population cohort, identify groups reporting increased risk of nonspecific psychological distress. As the largest living population cohort, taking stock of health and well-being early is necessary as substantial national resources may be needed as this cohort ages. Design: The 2017 National Health Interview Survey data, an annual multipurpose survey of the US population, was used. Sample: A sample of 7303 respondents were created by limiting data set to birth years 1980 to 1998. Measures: Outcomes were feeling like everything is an effort, worthlessness, hopelessness, restlessness, nervousness, and sadness. Combined these statements of feeling make up a measure of nonspecific psychological distress, past 30 days. Analysis: A logistic regression was performed on each outcome. All models controlled for demographic variables known to be associated with psychological distress. Results: Females are 1.4 times more likely than males to report nonspecific psychological distress (P < .001), whereas Hispanics and Blacks are less likely to report nonspecific psychological distress (odds ratio [OR] = 0.49, OR = 0.57, P < .001). American Indians were less likely to report worthlessness (OR = 0.30, P < .05). However, multiple race individuals increasingly reported hopelessness (OR = 1.55, P < .05). Young adults are less likely than emerging adults to report sadness (OR = 0.85, P < .05). Conclusion: In this sample, racial/ethnic groups fared better than referent groups. Health programs need to integrate intersectional identities into promotion of mental health.