The link between childhood mental illness, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and adverse economic outcomes in adulthood is more prevalent and stronger than previously thought according to research from the University of Aberdeen.
A review of all relevant research conducted over the past 10 years has found a consistent association between diagnosis of a mental illness such as anxiety and low mood in childhood and an increased likelihood of unemployment and claiming benefits as an adult.
The link between chronic physical illness in childhood and economic activity in adulthood was less clearly seen, but survivors of childhood cancer and children with neurological conditions were more likely to receive benefits as adults.
The authors suggest that early detection and intervention for those with anxiety and low mood could help immediately affected individuals in childhood, and also increase their future economic activity, including employment and income.
The research is published in Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Professor Stephen Turner, Honorary Professor at the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition led the review.
Professor Turner explains: “By looking at all of the evidence gathered over the past 10 years, we found a consistent link between mental health problems (primarily anxiety and low mood) before the age of 18, and poorer economic outcomes in adulthood compared to unaffected peers.
“We also found evidence that ADHD in childhood was associated with increased risk for unemployment in adulthood. There was less robust evidence for economic outcomes in children with ongoing physical conditions, but there was evidence of increased receipt of benefits in survivors of childhood cancer.
“So, why is this the case? Children with mental health problems may not attend school and this educational inactivity in childhood translates into economic activity in adulthood. The rising number of young adults who are economically inactive is a real concern for our economy and the solution lies in helping children manage symptoms of anxiety and low mood before they become established for life.
“We suggest that childhood conditions, specifically mental illness, often persist into adulthood. Economic inactivity in young adults is a real problem, and the roots lie in childhood. We need to invest in looking after children and young people in order to have a healthy workforce to sustain the economy.
“The take home message is that early detection and intervention for mental health problems in childhood benefits the child in the short and long term and also benefits the future economy.”
Dr Smita Dick, Research Fellow at the Institute of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Aberdeen who co-led the research added: “The link between childhood mental health and adult economic productivity is complex. It is not just limited to the child but also intergenerational factors such parental health, both physical and mental, and parental socio economic factors.”