How do early-life factors explain social inequalities in adolescent mental health? Findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study

摘要: Background Reducing inequalities in adolescent mental health is a public priority, yet the pathways that link social conditions to outcomes early years are unclear. We aimed evaluate extent which risk factors explain UK. Methods analysed data from 6509 children captured UK Millennium Cohort Study. Mental was assessed through socioemotional behavioural problems at age 14 (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). The main exposure maternal education birth, used as measure of childhood socioeconomic (SECs), calculate relative index inequality. Using causal mediation analysis, we how perinatal, individual child, family, peer relation neighbourhood-level measured up 3-mediated total effect (TE) SECs on problems, estimating proportion mediated natural indirect (NIE) via each block mediators, all mediators together. Results Children mothers with no qualification were almost four times likely have compared degree plus level (relative (RR) 3.82, 95% CI 2.48 5.88). Overall, 63.9% (95% 50.2% 77.6%) (NIE RR 1.97, 1.63 2.37) TE (RR 4.40, 3.18 6.07) by early-life factors. Conclusions About two-thirds inequality explained 3, highlighting importance interventions this period.