2026/04/24 by Vilija Hiltunen, Noona Kiuru, Asko Tolvanen +4
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development #Early Childhood Education and Development #Youth Substance Use and School Attendance
paper · doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2026.102923
openalex publication_date 2026/04/24 · openalex created_date 2026/04/25 · openalex updated_date 2026/04/29
This study aimed to investigate the role of externalizing problems across primary school in predicting maladaptation in Grade 9, subsequent dropout intentions, and actual dropout from upper secondary education. The study also examined the potential buffering role of protective and reactive social support. Data from 597 Finnish students were collected in Grades 1–4, Grade 6, and Grade 9 and at two time points during upper secondary education. Externalizing problems in primary school predicted higher levels of maladaptation—task avoidance and substance use—in Grade 9, and a higher likelihood of dropping out of upper secondary education. The results also indicated indirect effects of high levels of externalizing problems in primary school on subsequent dropout intentions and actual dropout, through more frequent task avoidance and substance use in Grade 9, respectively. Reactive support (income security benefits) was more frequently received by students who were at increased risk of dropping out. The current study contributes to a better understanding of how early-appearing externalizing problems may initiate a cycle of maladaptation that continues across the school years. The findings indicated that higher levels of externalizing problems in primary school predicted increased dropout from upper secondary education, underscoring the importance of early intervention. In addition, task avoidance in Grade 9 served as an intermediate link between externalizing problems and dropout intentions, whereas substance use in Grade 9 served as an intermediate link between externalizing problems and actual dropout. Institutional support in the form of income security benefits was shown to be provided to adolescents at the highest risk of dropout intentions, indicating efforts to intervene in the accumulation of student maladaptation. • Externalizing problems in primary school predict dropout of upper secondary school • Task avoidance mediates the link between externalizing and dropout intentions • Substance use mediates the link between externalizing and dropout • Income security benefit was provided to students at risk for dropout intentions