Stress caused by performance pressure and worries about the future
The pressure associated with school and studies – such as high performance expectations, busy schedules, tight deadlines and fear of delays in their studies – is experienced as burdensome by young adults. The financial consequences of delays in their studies and the student debt they have accumulated further intensify this stress. Broader social issues such as the housing shortage, inflation and the student loan system also create financial uncertainty, further increasing the mental burden.
The stage in which young adults become adults brings many changes. They are looking for stability, control over their lives, a positive outlook for the future and a strong self-image. But the transition to independence – with all its responsibilities – means that many regularly feel overwhelmed.
Making mental health a subject for discussion
Young adults indicate that normalising conversations about mental health is essential. It should be perfectly normal to share that you do not always feel okay. They also advocate accessible information and low-threshold support. In collaboration with them, a video has been made showing how peers can make this subject easier to discuss.
Normalisation of substance use
In addition to stress related to studies, it is also striking how normalised substance use has become. Young adults experience alcohol and other substances as being closely intertwined with social activities. The threshold for joining in is low, partly due to peer pressure and social expectations. The ease with which substances can be ordered via social media is a cause for concern. Young adults see that their peers are starting at increasingly younger ages and using substances excessively more often.
They therefore call for a shift in social norms: denormalisation of substance use, greater knowledge-sharing about the risks and visible role models who promote healthy behaviour.
About the research
The qualitative research was conducted by research agency EMMA as a follow-up to the national 2024 Health Monitor for Young Adults by RIVM and the GGD organisations. Fifty-eight young adults took part in group discussions and interviews. A youth advisory group actively contributed ideas on the design and interpretation of the research. The insights have been compiled in a report and factsheet.
The results provide valuable guidance for policymakers, education and support services to better connect with the lived experiences of young adults – with specific attention to the stress caused by school and studies.