Adolescent psychosocial factors and participation in education and employment in young adulthood: A systematic review and meta-analyses

Susan Prior - ORCID 0000-0003-3069-6961 http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3069-6961Sumeyra Tayfur - ORCID: 0000-0002-5151-850X https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5151-850XAdolescence is a critical period for successful transition into adulthood. This systematic review of empirical longitudinal evidence investigated the associations between adolescent psychosocial factors and education and employment status in young adulthood. Five electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ASSIA and ERIC) were searched. Meta-analysis was conducted by using odds ratios (OR) as our common effect size; a narrative synthesis of results was also completed. Of the 8970 references screened, 14 articles were included and mapped into seven domains, namely, behavioral problems, peer problems, substance use, prosocial skills, self-evaluations, aspirations and physical activity. The results showed that behavioral problems (overall OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.26–1.74) and peer problems (overall ORadj: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.02–1.57) were significantly associated with being out of education, employment and training (NEET) as young adults. Prosocial skills did not present a significant association (overall OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.92–1.15). Other domains were narratively synthesized. The role of substance use was less clear. Only a few studies were available for self-evaluations, aspirations and physical activity domains. Implications for research and practice are discussed.This study was funded by Lothian National Health Service, and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Scotland through a PhD bursary.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2021.10040434pubpu

Associations between adolescent psychosocial factors and disengagement from education and employment in young adulthood among individuals with common mental health problems

Sumeyra Nur Tayfur - ORCID: 0000-0002-5151-850X https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5151-850XTransition to adulthood can be a challenging developmental task for adolescents with common mental health problems and is linked to adverse outcomes such as ‘not in education, employment or training’ (NEET). This study investigated longitudinal associations between adolescent psychosocial factors (e.g., self-esteem, aspirations, bullying, physical activity) and later NEET status among individuals with common mental health problems (i.e., depression and anxiety). A secondary data analysis of the Next Steps cohort study was completed using waves 2 and 8. Psychosocial factors, mental health, and background characteristics were captured when participants were aged 15–16 years (wave 2) while still in compulsory education. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire was used to identify adolescents with common mental health problems. The study population consisted of 2224 participants (females 66.8%) of which 1473 (66.2%) were aged 15 years and 751 (33.8%) were aged 16 years in wave 2. The outcome was NEET status at ages 25–26 years (wave 8). The results showed that after adjusting for background characteristics, adolescent self-esteem, locus of control, bullying, physical activity, job aspirations, and attitudes to school predicted NEET status. Educational aspirations, substance use, and behavioural problems were not significantly associated with NEET status. These findings provide new insights into the role of adolescent psychosocial factors in the context of education and employment outcomes for youth at risk and highlight the necessity of targeted mental health support to improve life chances.This study was funded by Lothian National Health Service, and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Scotland through a Ph.D. bursary.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-022-01592-7pubpu

Measuring disability with parsimony: evidence for the utility of a single item

Purpose: To provide evidence for the utility of a single item measure designed to quantify disability in the past 30 days. Method: Australian data from studies comprising a community-dwelling elderly sample (N=328) and a sample of chronic osteoarthritis (OA) patients (N=119) are reported. Degree of disability was classified as 0–30 days, 0 vs. 1 or more days, and 0–9 vs. 10 or more days. Associations between disability and a range of demographic, health-related, and psychological variables were assessed. Results: Participants with OA reported a significantly higher level of disability than participants from the community sample regardless of how disability was classified. Modest levels of association were noted between the number of disability days (0–30) and both health and psychological indices in both samples. The three alternative classifications of disability made little difference to the significance of associations. On balance, the comparison of 0–9 vs. 10 or more days appeared the more predictive classification of disability. Conclusions: The performance of the single item measure of disability was generally very satisfactory. Future investigations into the clinical application of the item across a range of patient groups are encouraged.Michael S Clark, Malcolm J Bond, Kirsty N Prior and Amy C Cotto