A national multiple baseline cohort study of mental health conditions in early adolescence and subsequent educational outcomes in New Zealand

Abstract Young people experiencing mental health conditions are vulnerable to poorer educational outcomes for many reasons, including: social exclusion, stigma, and limited in-school support. Using a near-complete New Zealand population administrative database, this prospective cohort study aimed to...

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Main Authors: Emma Gorman, Nicholas Bowden, Jesse Kokaua, Brigid McNeill, Philip J. Schluter
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38131-8
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author Emma Gorman
Nicholas Bowden
Jesse Kokaua
Brigid McNeill
Philip J. Schluter
author_facet Emma Gorman
Nicholas Bowden
Jesse Kokaua
Brigid McNeill
Philip J. Schluter
author_sort Emma Gorman
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Young people experiencing mental health conditions are vulnerable to poorer educational outcomes for many reasons, including: social exclusion, stigma, and limited in-school support. Using a near-complete New Zealand population administrative database, this prospective cohort study aimed to quantify differences in educational attainment (at ages 15–16 years) and school suspensions (over ages 13–16 years), between those with and without a prior mental health condition. The data included five student cohorts, each starting secondary school from 2013 to 2017 respectively (N = 272,901). Both internalising and externalising mental health conditions were examined. Overall, 6.8% had a mental health condition. Using adjusted modified Poisson regression analyses, those with prior mental health conditions exhibited lower rates of attainment (IRR 0.87, 95% CI 0.86–0.88) and higher rates of school suspensions (IRR 1.63, 95% CI 1.57–1.70) by age 15–16 years. Associations were stronger among those exhibiting behavioural conditions, compared to emotional conditions, in line with previous literature. These findings highlight the importance of support for young people experiencing mental health conditions at this crucial juncture in their educational pathway. While mental health conditions increase the likelihood of poorer educational outcomes, deleterious outcomes were not a necessary sequalae. In this study, most participants with mental health conditions had successful educational outcomes.
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spelling doaj.art-3a245f37af9f4265b0bd3db4ce7a81fb2023-07-09T11:11:25ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-07-0113111210.1038/s41598-023-38131-8A national multiple baseline cohort study of mental health conditions in early adolescence and subsequent educational outcomes in New ZealandEmma Gorman0Nicholas Bowden1Jesse Kokaua2Brigid McNeill3Philip J. Schluter4School of Organisations, Economy and Society, University of WestminsterDepartment of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of OtagoDepartment of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of OtagoTe Kāhui Pā Harakeke, Child Well‑being Research Institute, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, University of CanterburyTe Kāhui Pā Harakeke, Child Well‑being Research Institute, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, University of CanterburyAbstract Young people experiencing mental health conditions are vulnerable to poorer educational outcomes for many reasons, including: social exclusion, stigma, and limited in-school support. Using a near-complete New Zealand population administrative database, this prospective cohort study aimed to quantify differences in educational attainment (at ages 15–16 years) and school suspensions (over ages 13–16 years), between those with and without a prior mental health condition. The data included five student cohorts, each starting secondary school from 2013 to 2017 respectively (N = 272,901). Both internalising and externalising mental health conditions were examined. Overall, 6.8% had a mental health condition. Using adjusted modified Poisson regression analyses, those with prior mental health conditions exhibited lower rates of attainment (IRR 0.87, 95% CI 0.86–0.88) and higher rates of school suspensions (IRR 1.63, 95% CI 1.57–1.70) by age 15–16 years. Associations were stronger among those exhibiting behavioural conditions, compared to emotional conditions, in line with previous literature. These findings highlight the importance of support for young people experiencing mental health conditions at this crucial juncture in their educational pathway. While mental health conditions increase the likelihood of poorer educational outcomes, deleterious outcomes were not a necessary sequalae. In this study, most participants with mental health conditions had successful educational outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38131-8
spellingShingle Emma Gorman
Nicholas Bowden
Jesse Kokaua
Brigid McNeill
Philip J. Schluter
A national multiple baseline cohort study of mental health conditions in early adolescence and subsequent educational outcomes in New Zealand
Scientific Reports
title A national multiple baseline cohort study of mental health conditions in early adolescence and subsequent educational outcomes in New Zealand
title_full A national multiple baseline cohort study of mental health conditions in early adolescence and subsequent educational outcomes in New Zealand
title_fullStr A national multiple baseline cohort study of mental health conditions in early adolescence and subsequent educational outcomes in New Zealand
title_full_unstemmed A national multiple baseline cohort study of mental health conditions in early adolescence and subsequent educational outcomes in New Zealand
title_short A national multiple baseline cohort study of mental health conditions in early adolescence and subsequent educational outcomes in New Zealand
title_sort national multiple baseline cohort study of mental health conditions in early adolescence and subsequent educational outcomes in new zealand
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38131-8
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