Impact of common mental disorders during childhood and adolescence on secondary school completion
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2009
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South African Medical Journal
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
There are few data from South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries on how mental disorders in childhood and adolescence may influence different aspects of socio-economic position, including educational attainment. We examined the association between early-onset disorders and subsequent educational achievement in a nationally representative sample of 4 351 South African adults. After adjusting for participant demographic characteristics and traumatic life events, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder and substance-related disorders were each associated with increased odds of failing to complete secondary education (odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals 2.3, 1.0 - 5.1; 1.7, 1.2 - 2.5, and 1.7, 1.2 - 2.5, respectively). These data point to the role that early-life mental disorders may play in educational achievement and subsequent socio-economic position over the life course.
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Myer, L., Stein, D. J., Jackson, P. B., Herman, A. A., Seedat, S., & Williams, D. R. (2009). Impact of common mental disorders during childhood and adolescence on secondary school completion : Mental health. South African Medical Journal, 99(5), 354-356.