Young and at risk?
Young and at risk?
Mental health problems often start early in life. About one in five adolescents in the Netherlands experience mental health problems. These problems do not necessarily fade away with age and can continue into adulthood. A key question is how the mental health problems relate to work: specifically, to what extent do young adults find and keep a paid job and what is the impact of mental health problems on work functioning?
This dissertation of Samira de Groot shows that the duration of mental health problems matters most, regardless of the age at which these mental health problems occur. Young people with long-lasting problems are more likely to struggle with finding a paid job and those who do have a job often report greater difficulties in meeting job demands. Furthermore, family background, such as the social economic status of parents during childhood, and working conditions during young adulthood, such as high workload and low autonomy, are also associated with the occurrence and persistence of mental health problems.
The findings highlight that experiences from childhood and adolescence, especially mental health problems, can have a considerable impact on the working life of young adults. Early detection and support are therefore important, both during childhood and adolescence, and later in young adulthood at the workplace. Employers and occupational physicians can make a difference by recognizing young adults who experience difficulties in meeting job demands.
This research suggests that addressing mental health problems in formative years not only may support young people’s well-being but also could contribute to a sustainable and healthy working life.