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The mental health of young people who are not in education, employment, or training: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Gariépy, Geneviève, Danna, Sofia M., Hawke, Lisa, Henderson, Joanna, Iyer, Srividya N.·2022·Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
DOI 10.1007/s00127-021-02212-8PMC PMC8687877
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Abstract

Purpose: There are increasing concerns about the intersection between NEET (not in education, employment, or training) status and youth mental ill-health and substance use. However, findings are inconsistent and differ across types of problems. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO-CRD42018087446) on the association between NEET status and youth mental health and substance use problems. Methods: We searched Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, ERIC, PsycINFO, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (1999–2020). Two reviewers extracted data and appraised study quality using a modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. We ran robust variance estimation random-effects models for associations between NEET and aggregate groups of mental ill-health and substance use measures; conventional random-effects models for associations with individual mental/substance use problems; and subgroup analyses to explore heterogeneity. Results: We identified 24 studies from 6,120 references. NEET status was associated with aggregate groups of mental ill-health (OR 1.28, CI 1.06–1.54), substance use problems (OR 1.43, CI 1.08–1.89), and combined mental ill-health and substance use measures (OR 1.38, CI 1.15–1.64). Each disaggregated measure was associated with NEET status [mood (OR 1.43, CI 1.21–1.70), anxiety (OR 1.55, CI 1.07–2.24), behaviour problems (OR 1.49, CI 1.21–1.85), alcohol use (OR 1.28, CI 1.24–1.46), cannabis use (OR 1.62, CI 1.07–2.46), drug use (OR 1.99, CI 1.19–3.31), suicidality (OR 2.84, CI 2.04–3.95); and psychological distress (OR 1.10, CI 1.01–1.21)]. Longitudinal data indicated that aggregate measures of mental health problems and of mental health and substance use problems (combined) predicted being NEET later, while evidence for the inverse relationship was equivocal and sparse. Conclusion: Our review provides evidence for meaningful, significant associations between youth mental health and substance use problems and being NEET. We, therefore, advocate for mental ill-health prevention and early intervention and integrating vocational supports in youth mental healthcare.

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  • The proportion of young people not in employment, education, and training is substantially higher in young people with mental ill health than in those without.

    “the proportion of young people not in employment, education, and training is also substantially higher in young people with mental ill health than in those without, reflecting a circular problem. 184”

    From The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health (2024) · cites this paper as [184]

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Gariépy, G., Danna, S. M., Hawke, L., Henderson, J., & Iyer, S. N.
Affiliations
  • Université de Montréal (CA)
  • Douglas Mental Health University Institute (CA)
  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CA)
  • ACCESS Open Minds (CA)
Corresponding author
Iyer, Srividya N.
ORCID
Venue
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2021-12-21
Volume
57
Issue
6
Pages
1107-1121
ISSN
  • 0933-7954 (ISSN-L)
  • 1433-9285
DOI
10.1007/s00127-021-02212-8
PMC
PMC8687877
OpenAlex
W4200358910
Cited by
142
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 41 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 7
FWCI
2.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eScholarship@McGill (McGill) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research
  • Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Youth Education and Societal Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Youth Substance Use and School Attendance
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Homelessness and Social Issues
Keywords
NEET youth, youth mental health, substance use, mental illness, anxiety, mood disorders, behavioral problems, alcohol consumption, cannabis use, drug use, suicidality, psychological distress, coming of age, social exclusion, mental health workforce training
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Educational Status, Employment, Humans, Mental Health, Substance-Related Disorders, Suicidal Ideation

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