Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41063079›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

Young adults not in education, employment, or training (NEET): a global scoping review.

Mari Gunnes, Kristin Thaulow, Silje L Kaspersen, Chris Jensen, Solveig Osborg Ose

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Mari GunnesSINTEF Digital, Health Services Research, Trondheim, Norway. mari.gunnes@sintef.no.
Kristin ThaulowSINTEF Digital, Health Services Research, Trondheim, Norway.
Silje L KaspersenSINTEF Digital, Health Services Research, Trondheim, Norway.
Chris JensenNorwegian National Advisory Unit on Occupational Rehabilitation, Rauland, Norway.
Solveig Osborg OseSINTEF Digital, Health Services Research, Trondheim, Norway.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundYoung adults not in education, employment, or training (NEET) represent a significant global issue, with varying challenges across different countries. Research indicates a strong association between NEET status and negative outcomes such as mental health difficulties, low self-esteem, and social exclusion, though the direction of causality is often complex and bidirectional. This scoping review aimed to provide a comprehensive mapping of international research on NEETs, including risk factors, characteristics, and effective interventions to inform future policy and practice.

methodsThis scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework, incorporating the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The review included six key stages: identifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, selecting studies, charting the data, collating, Summarizing, and reporting the results, and consultation. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering literature from 2021 to April 2024. Eligibility criteria were established using the population-concept-context (PCC) framework.

resultsA total of 159 studies were included, classified into 11 topics. The review identified a diverse range of factors that influence the status of NEET, including individual, family, and systemic elements. Key determinants such as cognitive abilities, noncognitive skills, and socioeconomic background were highlighted. Psychological issues, including mental health problems and low self-esteem, were prevalent among NEETs. Social issues such as inequality, discrimination, and social exclusion were also significant. The review found that NEET status is associated with long-term socioeconomic disadvantages, including lower educational attainment, higher unemployment rates, and increased mental health risks. The effectiveness of the interventions varied, some showing positive outcomes in terms of employment and mental health, while others had limited impact.

conclusionsThe NEET phenomenon is complex and requires a holistic approach that integrates the health, welfare and work life sectors. Effective interventions should be tailored to the specific needs of NEET individuals, considering their mental health, self-esteem, and social connections. Policymakers should focus on developing comprehensive support systems that address the diverse challenges faced by NEETs, ensuring sustainable transitions to education, employment, or training. More research is needed to explore the long-term effectiveness of various interventions and to identify best practices to support NEETs worldwide.

Indexed as

EmploymentGlobal HealthHumansSelf ConceptYoung AdultEducationLabour marketMental healthNEETSocial exclusionYouth unemployment

Identifiers

PMID41063079
PMCPMC12505988

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.