Presenter
Samaria Dalling
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
2026
Abstract
This project examined how health insurance status relates to anxiety, depression, and insomnia among young adults, and whether race/ethnicity and age moderate these relationships. Using data from the 2024 Rhode Island Young Adult Survey (RIYAS), the analysis included 1,008 participants ages 18–25 recruited through online ads, emails, and community flyers. Participants received a $10 gift card for completing the survey. Cross-sectional statistical analyses assessed associations between insurance status and mental health indicators, with moderation tests for race/ethnicity and age. Significance was determined at p< 0.05. The results showed that about one-quarter of the sample lacked health insurance, and most respondents were White, non-Hispanic, and 21 or older. Insurance status was not significantly associated with anxiety, depression, or insomnia overall. However, race/ethnicity significantly moderated the relationship between insomnia and insurance status, with the association becoming significant among individuals identifying as Mixed race or Other (x2=0.529, p=0.015). The project concluded that multiracial and Indigenous young adults may face heightened barriers to obtaining health insurance. These findings suggest the need for policy actions such as Medicaid expansion, strengthened public health programs, and clearer insurance enrollment processes to reduce inequities in access to coverage.
Faculty Mentor
Kelsey A. Gately, OTD, OTR/L
Academic Discipline
College of Health & Wellness
Repository Citation
Dalling, Samaria and Bradford, Cierra, "Insurance and Mental Health Across Various Groups" (2026). Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium. 338.
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/innov_symposium/338
