Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Volume 42, Issue 1, 2007, Pages 50-56

Ethnic disparities in problem behaviour in adolescence contribute to ethnic disparities in social class in adulthood (Article)

van Oort F.V.A.* , van der Ende J. , Crijnen A.A.M. , Verhulst F.C. , Mackenbach J.P. , Joung I.M.A.
  • a Erasmus MC, Dept. of Public Health, University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands, Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC-Sophia, University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • b Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC-Sophia, University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • c Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC-Sophia, University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • d Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC-Sophia, University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • e Erasmus MC, Dept. of Public Health, University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • f Erasmus MC, Dept. of Public Health, University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Background: It is important for prevention of social class disparities to know how ethnic disparities in social class arise among migrant children. We contribute to this understanding by examining the role of problem behaviour in adolescence. Methods: Prospective observational study with 753 Dutch native and 217 Turkish migrant adolescents (11-18 year) followed for 10 years. Internalising and externalising problems were assessed in adolescence and employment status and occupational level were assessed in adulthood. The difference in odds ratios (OR) before and after adjustment for internalising and externalising problems was an indication of the predictive value of disparities in internalising and externalising problems for the development of social class disparities. Results: A total of 135 (62%) of the Turkish and 602 (80%) of the Dutch adults were employed. Internalising and externalising problems were not associated with employment status. Of the employed, 65 (48%) Turkish and 179 (30%) Dutch adults worked in low-level occupations (p < 0.0001). Internalising and externalising problems were associated with both ethnicity and occupation. The OR for low-level occupation for Turkish adults was 1.78 (1.19-2.65), indicating ethnic disparities. Adjustment for internalising problems lowered the OR with 36% to 1.50 (0.97-2.31), and adjustment for externalising problems lowered it with 8% to 1.72 (1.15-2.57). Findings were similar for men and women and did not vary by age. Conclusions: Ethnic disparities in occupational level in adulthood could partly be attributed to disparities in mental health between Turkish migrants and Dutch natives in adolescence. Prevention of ethnic disparities in mental health at young age may therefore also contribute to the prevention of occupational differences in adulthood. © Steinkopff Verlag Darmstadt 2006.

Author Keywords

Occupation Socio-economic disparities Ethnic disparities Mental health Prospective study

Index Keywords

Netherlands prospective study immigrant Follow-Up Studies Prospective Studies human sex difference Odds Ratio Ethnic Groups controlled study Turkey (republic) Internal-External Control Mental Disorders Humans ethnic difference Cross-Cultural Comparison Adolescent male occupation preschool child prediction Socioeconomic Factors female observational study adolescence Article behavior disorder Adolescent Behavior employment status adult major clinical study age Turkey Sex Distribution adulthood Analysis of Variance Transients and Migrants social class employment Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34247481345&doi=10.1007%2fs00127-006-0129-0&partnerID=40&md5=4115ed24b95bf1fbc10d8247b54112b0
DOI: 10.1007/s00127-006-0129-0
ISSN: 09337954
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English