A longitudinal population based study of work marginalization as a consequence of exposure to life adversities

Background: Dropout from school and work among young adults is common, but the risk factors are not well understood and there is a lack of prospective studies. Purpose: To investigate early predictors of later work marginalization and the potential mediating role of high school completion. Significance: Results will point to areas of importance for long-term prevention of marginalization from education and work. Methods: Self-reported high school questionnaire data were linked to prospective registry data for eight consecutive years on 11 874 individuals' demographics, educational progress, employment activity and social benefits. Ordinal logistic regression were used to investigate the associations between exposure to single as well as multiple forms of victimization and later marginalization, using high school completion within 5 years as a mediator. Results: Self-reported exposure to violence and/or bullying at 15 years of age predicted marginalization from work 8years later, even when adjusted for other relevant factors. The mediating effect of education was minor (Completed high school: Odds Ratio, .26; 95% CI, .084-.298; P <.001). Conclusion: Marginalization from work may be predicted by factors that are present in early life. Exposure to violence and bullying increased the odds of marginalization, independent of high school completion. Increasing education level may have some preventive effect, but these results indicate that prevention efforts should be initiated at an early age and target adverse life experiences.