Abstract
BackgroundMental health represents an important public health issue, and mental health problems have been linked to school dropout. This study aimed to identify mental health groups of high school students using both positive and negative aspects of mental health and to examine whether these mental health groups longitudinally predict school dropout.MethodsWe conducted latent class analysis using the Danish National Youth Study 2014 (n = 60,526; mean 17.9 years) to identify clustering of mental health (11 items covering positive and negative aspects of emotional wellbeing and functioning in daily life), separately by sex. The relationship with subsequent school dropout was examined using logistic regression models, adjusted for age, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Information on dropout status was obtained through educational registers.ResultsSchool dropout rates was highest among first-year students. Four mental health groups were identified: Flourishing (females: 38%, males: 55%), moderate mental health (females: 15%, males: 20%), emotionally challenged (females: 28%, males: 15%) and languishing (females: 19%, males: 10%). Compared to the flourishing group, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for dropout were 3.43 (95% CI: 2.98, 3.95), 1.73 (95% CI: 1.45, 2.06) and 1.76 (95% CI: 1.52, 2.04) in the languishing, moderate mentally healthy and emotional challenged females. Results in males were comparable.ConclusionsMental health in high school students cluster together in four categories among both males and females. Students who are languishing, emotionally challenged or moderate mentally healthy have about 1.5-fold to threefold higher risk of dropping out of high school compared with flourishing students. Universal mental health interventions may be a promising strategy, particularly in the first year of high school where most students drop out of school.
Highlights
Mental health represents an important public health issue, and mental health problems have been linked to school dropout
Several factors have been associated with high school dropout of which socioeconomic background and academic performance are some of the most well-documented determinants
In the moderate mental health group, males had an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.43 of dropping out of school and females had an AOR of 1.73
Summary
Mental health represents an important public health issue, and mental health problems have been linked to school dropout. Individuals who do not complete uppersecondary school are at higher risk of unemployment and low income [6] as well as increased health risk behaviour [2] than completers. It is more difficult for low-educated people to stay in the labour marked and poor physical and mental health followed by employment may further impact negatively on unemployment [7]. An increasing number of studies have linked poor mental health [8, 9] and lack of social resources [10] with school dropout. An Australian study showed that students with a prior distress disorder have twice the odds of high school dropout compared with those without [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
