Interrelationships between social exclusion, mental health and wellbeing in adolescents: insights from a national Youth Survey
Abstract Aims Adolescence is a critical developmental phase during which young people are vulnerable to the experiences of mental ill-health and social exclusion (consisting of various domains including education and employment, housing, finances and social supports and relationships). The aims of t...
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Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2045796024000878/type/journal_article |
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| author | K. Filia S. M. Teo N. Brennan T. Freeburn D. Baker V. Browne A. Watson J. Menssink A. Prasad E. Killackey P. D. McGorry S. M. Cotton C. X. Gao |
| author_facet | K. Filia S. M. Teo N. Brennan T. Freeburn D. Baker V. Browne A. Watson J. Menssink A. Prasad E. Killackey P. D. McGorry S. M. Cotton C. X. Gao |
| author_sort | K. Filia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract
Aims
Adolescence is a critical developmental phase during which young people are vulnerable to the experiences of mental ill-health and social exclusion (consisting of various domains including education and employment, housing, finances and social supports and relationships). The aims of this study were to (i) obtain an understanding of the relationships between social exclusion, mental health and wellbeing of young people; and (ii) identify potentially modifiable targets, or population groups that require greater or targeted supports.
Methods
Data were obtained from the Mission Australia 2022 Youth Survey, Australia’s largest annual population-wide survey of young people aged 15–19 years (n = 18,800). Participants’ experiences of social exclusion in different domains were explored (e.g., prevalence, co-occurrence and controlling for differences in demographic characteristics). Multivariable linear regression models were used to map the relationships between social exclusion domains and mental health and wellbeing, controlling for confounding factors where necessary.
Results
Sixty per cent of all young people experienced social exclusion in at least one domain, 25% in multiple. Young people who identified as gender diverse, Indigenous, living in a remote/rural or socio-economically disadvantaged area and with a culturally diverse background were more likely to report social exclusion. A strong association was seen between all domains of social exclusion and poor mental health (e.g., higher psychological distress and loneliness, reduced personal wellbeing, reduced sense of control over their life and a more negative outlook on the future). Notably, difficulties in socialising and obtaining social support were critical factors linked to increased psychological distress and reduced wellbeing.
Conclusions
Findings underscore the need to address multiple domains of social exclusion concurrently, and in collaboration with youth mental healthcare. Prevention efforts aimed at early identification and intervention should be prioritised to support young people vulnerable to social exclusion. Screening approaches are needed to identify individuals and groups of young people in need of support, and to facilitate care coordination across multiple providers.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aa700df43e9b49ab8b4f2bfd7fab13fd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-7960 2045-7979 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-aa700df43e9b49ab8b4f2bfd7fab13fd2025-01-16T21:49:19ZengCambridge University PressEpidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences2045-79602045-79792025-01-013410.1017/S2045796024000878Interrelationships between social exclusion, mental health and wellbeing in adolescents: insights from a national Youth SurveyK. Filia0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6581-5890S. M. Teo1N. Brennan2T. Freeburn3D. Baker4V. Browne5A. Watson6J. Menssink7A. Prasad8https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6101-9387E. Killackey9P. D. McGorry10S. M. Cotton11C. X. Gao12https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0987-2759Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia Orygen, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaCentre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia Orygen, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaMission Australia, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaMission Australia, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaOrygen, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaOrygen, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaCentre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia Orygen, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaCentre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia Orygen, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaCentre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia Orygen, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaCentre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia Orygen, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaCentre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia Orygen, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaTurner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaCentre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaAbstract Aims Adolescence is a critical developmental phase during which young people are vulnerable to the experiences of mental ill-health and social exclusion (consisting of various domains including education and employment, housing, finances and social supports and relationships). The aims of this study were to (i) obtain an understanding of the relationships between social exclusion, mental health and wellbeing of young people; and (ii) identify potentially modifiable targets, or population groups that require greater or targeted supports. Methods Data were obtained from the Mission Australia 2022 Youth Survey, Australia’s largest annual population-wide survey of young people aged 15–19 years (n = 18,800). Participants’ experiences of social exclusion in different domains were explored (e.g., prevalence, co-occurrence and controlling for differences in demographic characteristics). Multivariable linear regression models were used to map the relationships between social exclusion domains and mental health and wellbeing, controlling for confounding factors where necessary. Results Sixty per cent of all young people experienced social exclusion in at least one domain, 25% in multiple. Young people who identified as gender diverse, Indigenous, living in a remote/rural or socio-economically disadvantaged area and with a culturally diverse background were more likely to report social exclusion. A strong association was seen between all domains of social exclusion and poor mental health (e.g., higher psychological distress and loneliness, reduced personal wellbeing, reduced sense of control over their life and a more negative outlook on the future). Notably, difficulties in socialising and obtaining social support were critical factors linked to increased psychological distress and reduced wellbeing. Conclusions Findings underscore the need to address multiple domains of social exclusion concurrently, and in collaboration with youth mental healthcare. Prevention efforts aimed at early identification and intervention should be prioritised to support young people vulnerable to social exclusion. Screening approaches are needed to identify individuals and groups of young people in need of support, and to facilitate care coordination across multiple providers. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2045796024000878/type/journal_articleadolescent mental healthprevention and early interventionsocial determinantssocial exclusionyouth surveyyouth wellbeing |
| spellingShingle | K. Filia S. M. Teo N. Brennan T. Freeburn D. Baker V. Browne A. Watson J. Menssink A. Prasad E. Killackey P. D. McGorry S. M. Cotton C. X. Gao Interrelationships between social exclusion, mental health and wellbeing in adolescents: insights from a national Youth Survey Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences adolescent mental health prevention and early intervention social determinants social exclusion youth survey youth wellbeing |
| title | Interrelationships between social exclusion, mental health and wellbeing in adolescents: insights from a national Youth Survey |
| title_full | Interrelationships between social exclusion, mental health and wellbeing in adolescents: insights from a national Youth Survey |
| title_fullStr | Interrelationships between social exclusion, mental health and wellbeing in adolescents: insights from a national Youth Survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interrelationships between social exclusion, mental health and wellbeing in adolescents: insights from a national Youth Survey |
| title_short | Interrelationships between social exclusion, mental health and wellbeing in adolescents: insights from a national Youth Survey |
| title_sort | interrelationships between social exclusion mental health and wellbeing in adolescents insights from a national youth survey |
| topic | adolescent mental health prevention and early intervention social determinants social exclusion youth survey youth wellbeing |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2045796024000878/type/journal_article |
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