Brieng Paper
January 2019
The impact of career guidance on the
mental well-being of young people
Dr Pete Robertson
Brieng Paper
Summary














































Introduction
According to international policy sources
1
, career guidance is
typically understood by governments as a service delivered in
pursuit of three categories of policy goals:
1. Economic goals: improving the functioning of the labour market
2. Educational goals: promoting lifelong learning and informed choice
of study
3. Social equity goals: promoting equality of opportunity and social
mobility
Whilst this framework describes reasonably well how governments
think about career guidance, it also demonstrates the widespread
neglect of health outcomes. This paper will focus on the
potential for career guidance to contribute to the mental health
and well-being of young people. It will outline the reasons for
concern, the potential contribution of career guidance, and make
recommendations. Young people in the age range 15 – 25 years will
be the primary focus of interest.
Youth mental health and economics


2




3



4














Unemployment and mental health













Career Development Institute
The impact of career guidance on the mental well-being of young people
02
Health scarring and young people

































25





Health inequality


29













Youth unemployment as a public health concern












Career Development Institute
The impact of career guidance on the mental well-being of young people
03
A rationale for the value of career guidance






















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


















Career guidance as a public health intervention



















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



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

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
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
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
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










Career Development Institute
The impact of career guidance on the mental well-being of young people
04
References
(Endnotes)

 International Journal for Vocational and
Educational Guidance, 4
The mental health of children and young people in
England.


Archives of General Psychiatry, 62
Working for a healthier tomorrow: Dame Carol Black’s review of the
health of Britain’s working age population
Work, happiness and unhappiness.
Is work good for your health and well-being?


. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74

Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 72
Lifetime impacts: Childhood and
adolescent mental health understanding the lifetime impacts.


Sociology of Health and Illness, 33



Psychological Review, 112
Youth transitions and health: A literature review


Journal of Vocational Behavior, 77



European Societies, 18


Journal of Adolescent
Health, 56

 
Social Science and Medicine, 56,
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
Social Science and Medicine,
80,

 
The European Journal of Public Health, 23

The multiple scarring effects of youth unemployment.



Public
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

BMC Public Health, 15,

The European Journal of Public
Health, 24


 Journal for Equity in Health, 15,


Social Science & Medicine, 48,
Youth unemployment, labour market
programmes and health: A review of the literature


Journal of Social Policy, 43,

British Journal of Guidance and
Counselling
Apprenticeship wellbeing survey: Headline
summary. 

Social Science and Medicine, 90,
British Journal of Guidance
and Counselling, 42


BMC Public Health, 16,

The Lancet, 379,

Final report.


British Journal of General Practice, 63

The Lancet, 379


The Lancet, 387
British Journal
of Guidance and Counselling, 41,
Career, work and mental health: Integrating career and personal
counseling

Journal of Vocational
Behavior, 100,
Adelaide
statement on health in all policies
 International
Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 13, 
Career Development Institute
The impact of career guidance on the mental well-being of young people
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