Titel

Mental health in adolescence and early adulthood.

Tid

Fredag den 3. oktober 2025 kl. 13

Sted

Aarhus Universitet, Auditorium 1252-310 - Jeppe Vontilius, Bartholins Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C

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Summary

Mental health problems in adolescence and adulthood are increasing and have long-term consequences for individuals and society. This thesis explored how mental health develops from adolescence to early adulthood, focusing on social inequalities and other determinants that influence mental health.

Using large Danish survey and register data, the thesis examined three main questions:
(1) Have social inequalities in adolescent mental health changed over the past 20 years?
(2) How is social status related to the development of mental health from age 15 to 32?
(3) Which personal, health, lifestyle, and social factors are most important for mental health at different life stages?
The findings showed that mental health problems have become more common among young people since 2002, but differences between socioeconomic groups have narrowed slightly. However, individuals from less advantaged families still face poorer mental health outcomes well into adulthood. Low subjective social status, stress, low self-esteem, and limited social support were especially important risk factor
Overall, the results show that both persistent social inequalities and dynamic individual factors shape mental health. Preventive strategies should be tailored to different stages of life and give special attention to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Assessment committee

Dorte Rytter, PhD, Associate Professor (Chairman)
Dept. of Public Health – Department of Epidemiology, Aarhus University

Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz, PhD, Professor
Dept. of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

Terese Sara Høj Jørgensen, PhD, Associate Professor
Dept. of Public Health – Section of Social Medicine, University of Copenhagen

Karin Biering, PhD, Associate Professor (Main supervisor)
Dept. of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gødstrup Hospital+