The effect of mental disorders in youth on NEET and the mediating role of high school dropout

INTRODUCTION: In the EU, over 13% of 15-29 years olds are not participating in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), which increases their risk of health problems and lower well-being later in life. This study investigates whether mental disorders in childhood impacts i) high school drop-out during adolescence, and ii) NEET in their early twenties. Secondly, it assesses to what extent the effect of mental disorders on NEET is mediated by high school drop-out. METHODS: Longitudinal nationwide register data from Statistics Netherlands were used for persons born in 1994. These included medication prescription for mental disorders (ages 12-15 years), high school dropout (ages 16-19 years) and participation in education or employment (age 21-26 years). NEET was defined as the proportion of time a person was not in employment or education between the ages of 21 and 26. Linear regression analyses were performed on the association between mental disorders and NEET and logistic regression analyses on the association between mental disorders and having a high school dropout period. Causal mediation analysis was used to assess to what extent the effect of mental disorders on NEET could be reduced by eliminating high school dropout. RESULTS: Taking medication for mental disorders was strongly associated with a longer NEET period and also increased the risk of having a high school dropout period. Having a high school dropout period significantly contributed to having a longer NEET period among persons with mental disorders. Further results of this study will follow later. CONCLUSIONS: Mental disorders in childhood are strongly associated with a longer NEET period in early adulthood, which can be reduced by preventing high school dropout. It is of paramount importance to prevent, detect and treat mental disorders from a young age and prevent persons from dropping out of high school, as it can affect outcomes later in life. KEY MESSAGES: • Mental disorders in childhood are strongly associated with a longer NEET period in early adulthood, which can be reduced by preventing high school dropout. • It is of paramount importance to prevent, detect and treat mental disorders from a young age and prevent persons from dropping out of high school, as it can affect outcomes later in life.