Differences in Health-Related Lifestyle Behaviors and Psychological Health Between Two Cohorts in Their 20s: The Korea Nurses' Health Study.

Abstract

Purpose: To compare health-related lifestyle behaviors and psychological health between two cohorts of individuals in their 20 s and to examine factors associated with these outcomes using data from the Korea Nurses' Health Study.

Methods: A secondary analysis of nationwide cohort data from registered nurses in their 20s during the 1st (2013-2014; n = 12,055) and 13th (2024; n = 4,007) surveys. Logistic and linear regression analyses examined between-cohort differences in health-related lifestyle behaviors and psychological health.

Results: In comparison with the 1st-survey group, the 13th-survey group demonstrated higher human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates (odds ratio [OR] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-1.20), later age at first alcohol consumption (regression coefficient [B] = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.76-0.95), and lower alcohol consumption frequency (B = -0.08, 95% CI = -0.08-0.00). In contrast, smoking-related behaviors worsened in the 13th-survey group. Regular acetaminophen use was lower in the 13th-survey group (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.48-0.63). The 13th-survey group showed higher rates of depression diagnoses (OR = 2.75, 95% CI = 2.08-3.63) and perceived stress (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.11-1.34), but lower odds of moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.32-0.40) and sleep disturbances (OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.38-0.48).

Conclusions: Over the past decade, HPV vaccination and alcohol abuse have improved in registered nurses in their 20s, but smoking and perceived stress have worsened, highlighting the need for sustained surveillance and targeted prevention policies.