Life at age 17: initial findings from the Growing Up in Scotland study (Sweep 11)

Summary

This report shares findings from the 11th sweep of data collection with Birth Cohort 1 of Growing Up in Scotland (GUS). Each sweep contributes to the expansion of an already rich and unique source of information on the characteristics, circumstances and experiences of young people in Scotland. Although this report offers only preliminary findings on a wide range of topics, some themes emerge as we explore participants’ late adolescence. Many topics will require more thorough interrogation and/or analysis of earlier childhood data to fully understand the implications.

Data collection for both Sweeps 10 and 11 of GUS was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and our participants’ lives will also have been affected. Protective public health measures in 2020/21 restricted contact between family and friends, with schools closed for extended periods. For a large proportion of our cohort, these measures necessitated the cancellation of their National 5 exams in 2020, and then their Higher exams in 2021. Other studies have identified changes in society over this period which have been attributed to the pandemic. For adolescents and young adults, academic performance and behaviour in schools appear to have worsened and levels of wellbeing have fallen. Findings from GUS need to be understood in the context of the period in which the study was undertaken. However, we cannot attribute differences between this and previous sweeps directly to the pandemic, as changes may be due to participants transitioning into a new stage of life or other factors.

Sweep 11 collected data during a transitional period in the lives of GUS participants. Around half were still in secondary education, with the rest having moved into further education, employment or a period of economic inactivity. It is also an aspirational time in young people’s lives, which the study reflected through questions about future goals and careers. The vast majority of young people said that a career or profession was important to them, and most specifically wanted an interesting job. Most of those still at school were intending to go to university or college.

Transitioning into a new life stage at Sweep 11 meant that the study could include new topics that explore early adulthood, such as civic participation. We found that nearly six in ten young people had voted at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, most had discussed politics with either their parents or friends and that half of young people had engaged in some form of political activity. However, views were split on the impact of politics, with just over a third believing it made a difference to their lives, and just under a third thinking the opposite.

Late adolescence may also be a time of experimentation for young people. Indeed, most had tried alcohol, with around half having drunk alcohol on 3 or more days in the last month. Over half of young people had tried vaping, and just under half had tried smoking a cigarette, However the majority that had tried these said they did not vape or smoke regularly or at all anymore. Around a third of young people had experience of sexual intercourse, and a majority of those had done so at least once without a condom or other form of protection or contraception. Over a fifth of young people admitted to some form of recent anti-social behaviour, lower than at the previous sweep^[32].

Although transitional life stages can affect social connections, most young people appear to have positive relationships with both their parents and their peers, something also found at previous sweeps of GUS^[33]. Relatedly, over half of young people said that they made friends easily. Views of social media were also relatively positive, especially in terms of allowing them to keep in touch with their friends. However, despite these findings, over half had experienced loneliness in the last week.

We also know that transitional life stages may have an impact on wellbeing. Compared with the previous sweep^[34], we saw lower levels of life satisfaction amongst young people at Sweep 11. Young people also tended to agree with the statements that measured their fear of failure. However, most young people disagreed with the idea that their intelligence is something they cannot change, and the vast majority felt that they usually have free choice and control over their life.

Finally, and perhaps most relevant to the COVID-19 impacts mentioned previously, there were some important findings around mental and physical health. A substantial minority reported symptoms that might suggest depression or severe anxiety, and around one sixth had been officially diagnosed with one of these conditions by a doctor. Similarly, a fifth of young people reported that they had self-harmed. Nevertheless, over two thirds said there was an adult that they could talk to if they needed support, and over half had taken action to support their mental health. Around half of young people said their general health was excellent or very good, lower than at the previous sweep^[35]. However, around half were now physically active for the NHS recommended 7+ hours a week, higher than at the previous sweep^[36].

The findings briefly summarised above refer to the cohort as a single group, but we know that young people’s experiences are not homogeneous. This report has found some stark and significant differences between men and women, young disabled people and young non-disabled people, and by area deprivation. This range of experiences should be borne in mind when considering what life was like for young people in Scotland in 2021-23.

At the time of this report’s publication, the 12th sweep of data collection is underway, with the cohort members now aged 20. This means we have now followed participants’ lives from their earliest years, through childhood and adolescence, and into young adulthood. We continue to be extremely grateful for the continuing participation, enthusiasm and support of the cohort members and their families, without whom this study would not be possible.