Longitudinal transition outcomes of youth with emotional disturbances

Two perspectives are offered on the transition outcomes of youth with emotional disturbances (ED) using data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS) and the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2). The first perspective compares two cohorts of youth ages 18-21 who were out of high school up to 4 years in 1990 and 2005 on their rates of high school completion, postsecondary education enrollment, employment, independent living, and criminal justice system involvement. The second perspective provides similar information from the final wave of NLTS2 data collection (2009), when young adults were ages 21-25.

Using nationally representative interview and survey data, descriptive statistics are provided for outcomes at each time point.

Significant increases over time are apparent in rates of high school completion, postsecondary education, and arrest, and there was a significant decline in employment. Analyses of young adults with ED in 2009 show that 82.5 percent had completed high school, and 53 percent had had some postsecondary education. Although 91.2 percent had been employed at some time since high school, 49.6 percent were employed when interviewed; 63.1 percent had lived independently, 60.5 percent had been arrested, and 44.2 percent had been on probation or parole.

Youth with emotional disturbances trail the general population in positive transition outcomes, and high rates of criminal justice system involvement suggest more effort is needed, including early intervening with response to intervention (RtI) strategies and self-determination training, to help these young adults succeed after high school.