Effect of multiple risk behaviours in adolescence on educational attainment at age 16 years: a UK birth cohort study

OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between adolescent multiple risk behaviours (MRBs) and educational attainment. DESIGN: Prospective population-based UK birth cohort study. SETTING: Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a UK birth cohort of children born in 1991–1992. PARTICIPANTS: Data on some or all MRB measures were available for 5401 ALSPAC participants who attended a clinic at age 15 years and/or completed a detailed questionnaire at age 16 years. Multiple imputation was used to account for missing data. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Capped General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) score and odds of attaining five or more GCSE examinations at grades A*–C. Both outcome measures come from the National Pupil Database and were linked to the ALSPAC data. RESULTS: Engagement in MRB was strongly associated with poorer educational attainment. Each additional risk equated to −6.31 (95% CI −7.03 to −5.58, p<0.001) in capped GCSE score, equivalent to a one grade reduction or reduced odds of attaining five or more A*–C grades of 23% (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.81, p<0.001). The average cohort member engaged in 3.24 MRB and therefore have an associated reduction in GCSE score equivalent to three and a half grades in one examination, or reduced odds of attaining five or more A*–C grades of 75%. CONCLUSION: Engagement in adolescent MRB is strongly associated with poorer educational attainment at 16 years. Preventing MRB could improve educational attainment and thereby directly and indirectly improve longer-term health.