Abstract
BackgroundCertain factors, such as depressive symptoms and binge drinking, may be linked to young adults’ ability to attain an acceptable level of functioning on specific life-domains (i.e. self-sufficiency). We studied the association of contextual factors and health indicators with self-sufficiency in young adults.MethodsWe used both baseline (n = 755) and 6-months follow-up (n = 200) self-reported questionnaire data of intermediate vocational education students (16–26 years). The questionnaire included the adapted Dutch self-sufficiency matrix (SSM-D), which addresses self-sufficiency regarding 11 life-domains (e.g. finances and housing). The questionnaire also included potentially associated contextual factors (e.g. socio-demographic characteristics) and health indicators (e.g. sickness absence from school). Ordinal (overall self-sufficiency: self-sufficient on 11, 10, 9 or ≤ 8 life-domains), and logistic (self-sufficiency per life-domain: self-sufficient yes/no) regression models were applied.ResultsThe studied population was 18.6 years on average (SD 2.04), and 73.6% were female. Cannabis use was associated with a lower overall self-sufficiency category at baseline (OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.33–0.99), as were an increase in sick days (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.91–0.98) and an increase on the scale of depressive symptoms (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.85–0.89). An increase in sick days and an increase on the scale of depressive symptoms were associated with lower odds of being self-sufficient on three and ten life-domains, respectively (p < 0.05). An increase on the scale of depressive symptoms was associated with a lower overall self-sufficiency category 6-months post-baseline (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.86–0.93).ConclusionsOur findings underline the importance of addressing self-sufficiency, sickness absence, and depressive symptoms, preferably before the transition from adolescence to young adulthood has begun.
Highlights
Certain factors, such as depressive symptoms and binge drinking, may be linked to young adults’ ability to attain an acceptable level of functioning on specific life-domains
This study examined the association of contextual factors and indicators of health status with self-sufficiency in intermediate vocational education students aged 16– 26 years, both cross-sectional and longitudinal
Young adults using cannabis were at risk of having a lower overall self-sufficiency category (OR = 0.57, 95% Confidence interval (CI) = 0.33 to 0.99), as were young adults with more sick days from school (OR = 0.94, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.91 to 0.98), and young adults with a higher score on the depressive symptoms scale (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.85 to 0.89)
Summary
Certain factors, such as depressive symptoms and binge drinking, may be linked to young adults’ ability to attain an acceptable level of functioning on specific life-domains (i.e. self-sufficiency). Self-sufficiency is defined as the ability of individuals to attain an acceptable level of functioning regarding specific life-domains, such as daytime activities and social support. This ability could either be achieved by the person him/herself or by adequately organizing help from formal or informal care providers [1]. A transition occurs from dependence on parents to more autonomy and financial independence and from youth health care to adult health care These transitions induce challenges for emerging adults in different life areas, e.g. finances, education and employment, leisure time activities, and physical and mental health behaviors [6,7,8,9,10]. For instance, financial self-sufficiency can be improved by financial education to students [15], and effective mental health services in the school context can help with a successful transition to adulthood [16]
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