Work

Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) Trajectories Across Adolescence and Early Adulthood and Subsequent Mental Health

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: In 3,792 participants from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, we examined whether repeatedly being Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) between ages 16 and 33 was associated with mental health at age 33. Each additional NEET occasion was associated with higher odds of depression (OR: 1.29, 95%CI: 1.18–1.40), anxiety (1.21, 1.11– 1.32), lower life satisfaction (1.53, 1.40–1.68) and a recent suicide attempt (1.51, 1.28–1.77). Associations were dose-dependent for depression, life satisfaction and a recent suicide attempt, and strongest for first NEET at ages 25–33. Preventing repeated NEET and addressing mental health need at first NEET entry are potential intervention targets.

Source: medRxiv

DOI: 10.64898/2026.09.14.26362986

Authors: Alex S. F. Kwong, Esme Elsden

Institutions: University of Bristol, MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Edinburgh

Language: English

Topic: Youth Education and Societal Dynamics

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: University of Bristol, Medical Research Council