A1 Journal article (refereed)
Symptoms of psychological ill-being and school dropout intentions among upper secondary education students : a person-centered approach (2020)

Parviainen, M., Aunola, K., Torppa, M., Poikkeus, A.-M., & Vasalampi, K. (2020). Symptoms of psychological ill-being and school dropout intentions among upper secondary education students : a person-centered approach. Learning and Individual Differences, 80, Article 101853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2020.101853

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Parviainen, Milja; Aunola, Kaisa; Torppa, Minna; Poikkeus, Anna-Maija; Vasalampi, Kati

Journal or series: Learning and Individual Differences

ISSN: 1041-6080

eISSN: 1873-3425

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 80

Article number: 101853

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2020.101853

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/68858

Abstract

A person-centered approach was used to identify the profiles of symptoms of psychological ill-being among Finnish upper secondary education students (N = 2889); to examine whether gender and educational track (i.e., academic or vocational) are associated with these profiles; and to investigate the role of profiles in school dropout intentions. Using latent profile analysis, one asymptomatic profile (normative, 79.2%) and three symptomatic profiles (internalizing symptoms, 9.1%; externalizing symptoms, 9.1%; and comorbid symptoms, 2.6%) were identified. Boys in the vocational track were overrepresented in the externalizing-symptoms profile, whereas girls in both tracks were overrepresented in the internalizing-symptoms profile. Students in the three symptomatic profiles showed higher dropout intentions than those in the normative profile. Altogether, this study indicated that up to every fifth student experiences symptoms of psychological ill-being, and those exhibiting these symptoms might be at greater risk of dropping out of school than their peers.

Keywords: mental ill-health; schools (educational institutions); general upper secondary school; general upper secondary school students; young people; school drop-outs; dropping out

Free keywords: symptoms of psychological ill-being; school dropout intentions; upper secondary education; person-centered approach

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 2