Effects of the School-to-Work Group Method among young people

This study examines effects of the School-to-Work Group Method among 17–25-year-old young people facing the transition from vocational college to work. After baseline measurement (N = 416) participants were randomized into experimental and control groups. The results of ten month follow-up (N = 334) showed notable beneficial impacts of the group method on both employment itself and on how well it matched participants’ education and personal career plans. The group method also had a significant preventive effect on psychological distress and depression symptoms among those initially at risk of suffering from mental disorder. Moreover, it considerably increased participants’ personal work life, finances and property goals.