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A prospective cohort study of depression course, functional disability, and NEET status in help-seeking young adults

Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Jan Scott

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Abstract

To examine the associations between depression course, functional disability, and Not in Education or Training (NEET) status in a clinical sample of young adults with mental health problems.Young adults aged 15-25 years seeking help from four primary mental health services were invited to participate in a prospective cohort study evaluating the course of psychiatric disorders in youth. Demographic and clinical characteristics, including depressive symptomatology and functioning, were evaluated through clinical interview and self-report at baseline and 12 month follow-up.A total of 448 young adults participated (70 % female; M: 20.05 years, SD = 2.85). A significant interaction effect for time and depression course was found, such that those who became depressed reported an increase in functional disability and those whose depression remitted reported a significant reduction in functional disability. Developing depression was not a significant predictor of becoming NEET and vice versa: remitted depression did not make a person more likely to reengage in employment or education.This is the first study to examine the course of depression, functional disability, and NEET rates among help-seeking young adults. This study confirms the importance of symptom reduction for improved functioning; however, functional disability remained greater than that seen in young people in the community and there was no association between a change in depression and a change in NEET status. These results argue that services need to address functional outcomes and reengagement with education and employment in addition to symptom reduction.

Publication metadata

Author(s): O'Dea B, Lee RSC, McGorry PD, Hickie IB, Scott J, Hermens DF, Mykeltun A, Purcell R, Killackey E, Pantelis C, Amminger GP, Glozier N

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Year: 2016

Volume: 51

Issue: 10

Pages: 1395-1404

Print publication date: 01/10/2016

Online publication date: 06/08/2016

Acceptance date: 01/08/2016

ISSN (print): 0933-7954

ISSN (electronic): 1433-9285

Publisher: Springer

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1272-x

DOI: 10.1007/s00127-016-1272-x

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