Young SLOSH (Y-SLOSH): Examining the Importance and Development of Mental Health during the Establishment in the Labour Market

Until recently, the prevalence of suboptimal self-rated mental health increased with age.

Today, this pattern has been completely reversed, with poor mental health almost three times more common in young adults compared to in seniors.

The highest levels are seen in young women, 66% of whom reported anxiety and worries, and 9% suicidal ideation, in 2020.

It is worrying that young people have already acquired mental health problems that could interfere with their ability to establish themselves in the labour market, form adult relationships, and sustain a long-term healthy life.

Since the reversal of the age gradient in mental health, there has been a lack of suitable data, and therefore studies, examining the interaction between mental health and labour market establishment among young adults in Sweden.

In particular, SLOSH, a large and otherwise approximately nationally representative cohort study of work, psychosocial work environment and health, lacks representative data on young people about to enter the labour market.

Therefore, the aim of the present project is to collect and analyse data on mental health in relation to work status (including education and unemployment), quality of study/work environment, perceived social demands, social relationships (incl. family formation), health behaviours and future outlook.

The sample will consist of 25,500 Swedish residents initially aged 18-29.

By inviting the same participants to a survey in 2022, 2023 and 2024, linking register data, and later including them in the SLOSH cohort, we may also to study longitudinal, potentially causal relationships.

This study is expected to contribute important insights into the roots of common mental disorders (CMD) and reduced wellbeing among young adults; improved understanding of the role of mental health in labour market establishment; and an important complement to the current state of knowledge about causes of mental health problems, burnout and sickness absence in working life.