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Cited by 24Youth Education and Societal DynamicsYouth Substance Use and School AttendanceEducational Outcomes and Influences

Once in NEET, always in NEET? Childhood and adolescent risk factors for different NEET patterns

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Veldman, Karin, van Zon, Sander K R, Bültmann, Ute·2024·European Journal of Public Health
DOI 10.1093/eurpub/ckae025PMC PMC11161160
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Abstract

Background: Young adults in Neither in Employment, Education nor Training (NEET) are at risk of adverse labour market outcomes. Earlier studies often measured NEET status at one time point or compared persistent NEETs with non-NEETs, neglecting other patterns of NEET status. Evidence on early life factors associated with NEET patterns is lacking. This study aims to (i) identify patterns of NEET status over time and (ii) examine whether factors in childhood and adolescence are associated with these patterns. Methods: Data were used from 1499 participants of the TRacking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS), a Dutch prospective cohort study with 15-year follow-up. NEET status was assessed at ages 19, 22 and 26. Socioeconomic status of parents (SES), intelligence and negative life events were measured at age 11, educational attainment at age 26 and mental health problems at ages 11, 13.5 and 16. Data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Four NEET patterns were identified: (i) non-NEETs (85.2%), (ii) early NEETs (4.5%), (iii) late NEETs (5.7%) and (iv) persistent NEETs (4.5%). Reporting internalizing problems at age 11 was a risk factor for early and late NEETs [odds ratio (OR) 2.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16–6.62; OR 5.00, 95% CI 2.22–11.3, respectively]. Low parental SES, lower intelligence scores and negative life events (≥3) were risk factors for persistent NEETs (OR 4.45, 95% CI 2.00–9.91; OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98; OR 4.42, 95% CI 1.62–12.08, respectively). Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of timing and duration of NEET status and emphasize the need for tailored interventions to prevent specific NEET patterns.

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  • Experiences of loneliness and social isolation in early adolescence were independently and robustly associated with reduced socioeconomic outcomes in young adulthood, with social isolation associated with later unemployment in a magnitude similar to established risk factors including childhood socioeconomic disadvantage and mental health difficulties.

    “Experiences of loneliness and social isolation in early adolescence were independently and robustly associated with reduced socioeconomic outcomes in young adulthood, with social isolation associated with later unemployment in a magnitude similar to established risk factors including childhood socioeconomic disadvantage and mental health difficulties (Rahmani et al., 2024;Veldman, van Zon & Bültm”

    From Investigating the interplay of loneliness and social isolation across adolescence: Findings from a nationally representative longitudinal study (2026) · cites this paper as Veldman, van Zon & Bültmann, 2024

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Research works printed but not linked: 23

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Authors
Veldman, K., van Zon, S. K. R., & Bültmann, U.
Affiliations
  • University Medical Center Groningen (NL)
  • Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen , Groningen, The Netherlands
Corresponding author
Veldman, Karin
ORCID
Venue
European Journal of Public Health
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2024-03-04
Volume
34
Issue
3
Pages
505-510
ISSN
  • 1101-1262 (ISSN-L)
  • 1464-360X
DOI
10.1093/eurpub/ckae025
PMC
PMC11161160
OpenAlex
W4392444913
Cited by
24
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4
FWCI
17.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • European Journal of Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Funders
  • Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (GB-MW 940-38-011, 100-001-004)
  • NWO (Vici 453-16-007/2735)
  • ZonMw Risk Behavior and Dependence (60-60600-97-118)
  • ZonMw Culture and Health (261-98-710)
  • Social Sciences Council (GBMaGW 480-01-006, GB-MaGW 480-07-001, GB-MaGW 452-04-314, GB-MaGW 452-06-004, 175.010.2003.005)
  • NWO Longitudinal Survey and Panel Funding (481-08-013)
  • Dutch Ministry of Justice
  • European Science Foundation
  • Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure
  • BBMRI-NL
  • Gratama Foundation
  • Jan Dekker Foundation
  • Accare Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Youth Education and Societal Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Youth Substance Use and School Attendance
  • Social Sciences › Education › Educational Outcomes and Influences
Keywords
NEET youth, childhood risk factors, adolescent risk factors, internalizing problems, parental socioeconomic status, intelligence, negative life events, mental illness, educational attainment, labor market outcomes, TRAILS cohort
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Child, Educational Status, Female, Humans, Male, Netherlands, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Social Class, Socioeconomic Factors, Unemployment, Young Adult

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