P-141 the Effect of Mental Disorders in Youth on Neet Until Mid-Twenties and the Mediating Role of High School Dropout: A Register-Based Study With a 14-Year Follow-Up

Introduction This study investigates whether mental disorders in childhood impacts i) high school drop-out during adolescence, and ii) NEET in their early twenties. Secondly, it assesses to what extent the effect of mental disorders on NEET is mediated by high school drop-out and the effect of the mental health and employment status of the parents. Methods Longitudinal nationwide register data from Statistics Netherlands were used for persons born in 1994. These included medication prescription for mental disorders (ages 12-15 years), high school dropout (ages 16-19 years) and participation in education or employment (NEET, age 21-26 years). Additionally, mental health and employment status of the parents will be included, these results will follow later. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed on the association between mental disorders and NEET and between mental disorders and having a high school dropout period. Causal mediation analysis was used to assess to what extent the effect of mental disorders on NEET could be reduced by eliminating high school dropout. Results Taking medication for mental disorders was strongly associated with a longer NEET period (β 17.4, 95% CI 16.7;18.0) and also increased the risk of having a high school dropout period (OR 2.3). Having a high school dropout period significantly contributes to having a longer NEET period among persons with mental disorders (NIE 1.5, 95% CI 1.4;1.7). Conclusion Mental disorders in childhood are strongly associated with a longer NEET period in early adulthood, which can be reduced by preventing high school dropout.