Adolescent psychosocial factors and participation in education and employment in young adulthood: A systematic review and meta-analyses

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical period for successful transition into adulthood. This systematic review of empirical longitudinal evidence investigated the associations between adolescent psychosocial factors and education and employment status in young adulthood. Five electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ASSIA and ERIC) were searched. Meta-analysis was conducted by using odds ratios (OR) as our common effect size; a narrative synthesis of results was also completed. Of the 8970 references screened, 14 articles were included and mapped into seven domains, namely, behavioral problems, peer problems, substance use, prosocial skills, self-evaluations, aspirations and physical activity. The results showed that behavioral problems (overall OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.26–1.74) and peer problems (overall ORadj: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.02–1.57) were significantly associated with being out of education, employment and training (NEET) as young adults. Prosocial skills did not present a significant association (overall OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.92–1.15). Other domains were narratively synthesized. The role of substance use was less clear. Only a few studies were available for self-evaluations, aspirations and physical activity domains. Implications for research and practice are discussed.