Stress and emotional wellbeing across age groups: Moderating effects of healthy routines and social support

Abstract

While the effects of stress on emotional well-being have been widely studied, less is known about the mechanisms that shape the development of vulnerabilities and strengths across different life stages. This study examined how healthy routines and perceived interpersonal support moderate the relationship between stress and emotional well-being among 165 young adults and 95 middle-aged adults. Among young adults, higher stress levels were significantly associated with lower positive affect. Both eating habits and interpersonal support significantly moderated this association, with gender differences observed in these effects. These findings suggest a complex interplay between age, gender, social support, and healthy routines in influencing emotional well-being under stress, and highlight the need for tailored, gender-specific stress management strategies, particularly for young adults.