Children who are socially isolated or sidelined at school face a significantly higher risk of unemployment and a lack of education or training upon reaching adulthood, according to a new study. Researchers from King's College London found that pupils who spent break times alone or were not chosen for team activities were more than twice as likely to be classified as NEET (not in employment, education, or training) at age 18.
This peer-reviewed research, published in the journal Development and Psychopathology, is believed to be the first to quantify the impact of childhood social isolation and loneliness on future career outcomes. The study's authors suggest that addressing feelings of isolation in early adolescence could not only improve young people's life chances but also benefit the economy through increased productivity.
The findings come at a time when the number of young people aged 16 to 24 classified as NEET has reached its highest point since 2013, exceeding one million this year. A government-commissioned review into youth unemployment, conducted by former health secretary Alan Milburn, previously warned that this figure could rise substantially, potentially affecting one in six young people within five years, up from the current one in eight. That report estimated the crisis was costing the UK approximately £125 billion annually in lost tax receipts and increased health and welfare spending.
The King's College London study analyzed data from 2,232 individuals born in England and Wales between 1994 and 1996. Researchers from the institute's Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry assessed loneliness and social sidelining at ages 12 and 18. Their analysis revealed that children experiencing social isolation during early adolescence were significantly more likely to be NEET, possess fewer qualifications, and have lower employability in later years. Social isolation was defined in the study as the absence of positive social relationships and social networks, coupled with infrequent social interactions.
Dr. Bridget Bryan, the lead author of the study, stated that "Given the concern about growing NEET rates, these findings suggest that tackling childhood social isolation could be a valuable lever for improving young people’s life chances and job prospects." Dr. Louise Arseneault, a senior author and professor of developmental psychology at King's, added that schools and other services are well-positioned to identify withdrawn or isolated children, and early intervention could significantly impact their future trajectories. The researchers also noted that the rise in NEET numbers might be partly explained by the impact of pandemic-related school closures, which could have exacerbated feelings of isolation among children at crucial developmental stages.