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A transdiagnostic study of education, employment, and training outcomes in young people with mental illness

Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Jan Scott

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Abstract

Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 Background: Optimizing functional recovery in young individuals with severe mental illness constitutes a major healthcare priority. The current study sought to quantify the cognitive and clinical factors underpinning academic and vocational engagement in a transdiagnostic and prospective youth mental health cohort. The primary outcome measure was ‘not in education, employment or training’ (‘NEET’) status. Method: A clinical sample of psychiatric out-patients aged 15–25 years (n = 163) was assessed at two time points, on average, 24 months apart. Functional status, and clinical and neuropsychological data were collected. Bayesian structural equation modelling was used to confirm the factor structure of predictors and cross-lagged effects at follow-up. Results: Individually, NEET status, cognitive dysfunction and negative symptoms at baseline were predictive of NEET status at follow-up (p < 0.05). Baseline cognitive functioning was the only predictor of follow-up NEET status in the multivariate Bayesian model, while controlling for baseline NEET status. For every 1 s.d. deficit in cognition, the probability of being disengaged at follow-up increased by 40% (95% credible interval 19–58%). Baseline NEET status predicted poorer negative symptoms at follow-up (β = 0.24, 95% credible interval 0.04–0.43). Conclusions: Disengagement with education, employment or training (i.e. being NEET) was reported in about one in four members of this cohort. The initial level of cognitive functioning was the strongest determinant of future NEET status, whereas being academically or vocationally engaged had an impact on future negative symptomatology. If replicated, these findings support the need to develop early interventions that target cognitive phenotypes transdiagnostically.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Lee RSC, Hermens DF, Scott J, O'Dea B, Glozier N, Scott EM, Hickie IB

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Psychological Medicine

Year: 2017

Volume: 47

Issue: 12

Pages: 2061-2070

Print publication date: 01/09/2017

Online publication date: 10/04/2017

Acceptance date: 01/02/2017

ISSN (print): 0033-2917

ISSN (electronic): 1469-8978

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291717000484

DOI: 10.1017/S0033291717000484

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