Long-term effects of mental disorders on educational attainment in the National Comorbidity Survey ten-year follow-up

Abstract

Purpose The study sought to examine the association of mental disorders with educational attainment in a community sample. Methods Data were from 5,001 respondents aged 15–54 in the 1990–1992 National Comorbidity Survey (NCS), re-interviewed in the 2001–2003 NCS follow-up (NCS-2). Discrete-time survival analysis was used to examine the association of disorders present at baseline (NCS) or having first onset after the baseline (assessed in NCS-2) with educational outcomes among 3,954 eligible respondents. Mental disorders were categorized into internalizing fear disorders (simple phobia, social phobia, panic disorder with/without agoraphobia and agoraphobia without panic disorder), internalizing anxiety-misery disorders (major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder), externalizing disorders (alcohol and drug use disorders, conduct disorder) and bipolar disorder. Analyses were conducted separately in students and non-students at baseline. Results Among students, baseline bipolar and externalizing disorders, and fear, anxiety-misery and externalizing disorders with onset after baseline were associated with lower odds of high school graduation; baseline anxiety-misery disorders with lower odds of going to college; and baseline externalizing disorders and bipolar disorder with onset after baseline with lower odds of college graduation. Among non-students, baseline fear disorders were associated with lower odds of high school graduation and bipolar disorder with lower odds of going to college. Assuming that the regression coefficients represent causal effects, mental disorders accounted for 5.8–11.0% of high school and 3.2–11.4% of college non-completion. Conclusions Expanding access to mental health services for youth might have a net positive societal value by helping to prevent some of these adverse educational outcomes.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors among college students and same-aged peers: results from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys

“…Indeed, rates of STB with onset prior to age 18 were high, and were associated with both the inability to enter college as well as with attrition from college. These findings are in line with previous research on selection effects at college entrance due to adverse mental health [14,15] but also on the negative association between STB and academic performance during college [16,17]. Importantly, we could not find support for a direct protective effect of the college environment on STB, as rates of post-matriculation STB did not significantly differ between students and attriters.…”

Long-term effects of mental disorders on marital outcomes in the National Comorbidity Survey ten-year follow-up

“…These findings are in line with our previous studies based on the NCS panel that identified negative effects of mental disorders on educational and employment outcomes [1,2]. Research on treatment and prevention programs to improve communication and to strengthen marital ties have produced promising results [48,47].…”

“…This report is part of a series of reports examining social consequences of mental disorders in the US [1,2]. Previous reports in the series examined educational [1] and employment [2] outcomes.…”

“…Previous reports in the series examined educational [1] and employment [2] outcomes. This report focuses on marital outcomes.…”

Can less be more? Open trial of a stepped care approach for child and adolescent anxiety disorders

“…In the absence of treatment, anxiety disorders are persistent and associated with poor school performance and dropout, peer and family relationship problems, and suicidal behaviors (Ezpeleta, Keeler, Erkanli, Costello, & Angold, 2001; Hill, Castellanos, & Pettit, 2011; Mojtabai et al, 2015). Although evidence based treatments for youth anxiety disorders exist, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and their combination (Silverman, Pina, & Viswesvaran, 2008; Walkup et al, 2008), the demand for treatment greatly exceeds available resources (Essau, Conradt, & Petermann, 2002; Kazdin & Blase, 2011).…”