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Low IQ as a predictor of unsuccessful educational and occupational achievement: A register-based study of 1,098,742 men in Denmark 1968–2016

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  • Hegelund, Emilie Rune
  • Flensborg-Madsen, Trine
  • Dammeyer, Jesper
  • Mortensen, Erik Lykke

Abstract

The present register-based study investigated the role of IQ in predicting a wide range of indicators of unsuccessful educational and occupational achievement among young men born across five decades in Denmark. The study population comprised all men who have been born since 1950 and have appeared before a draft board during the periods from 1968 to 1984 and from 1987 to 2015 (N = 1,098,742). IQ was assessed by Børge Priens Prøve at age 18. Unsuccessful educational achievement was indicated by leaving lower secondary school without a certificate, by no completed youth education at age 25, by no completed education leading to vocational qualifications at age 30, and by the total number of interruptions to education at age 30. Unsuccessful occupational achievement was indicated by not being in employment, education or training at age 30, by unemployment at age 30, by receiving sickness benefits at age 30, by receiving welfare benefits at age 30, by receiving disability pension at age 30, and by gross income at age 30. Binary logistic regression, negative binomial regression and median regression were used to estimate the associations of IQ with unsuccessful educational and occupational achievement. The results showed that low IQ was a strong and consistent predictor of all indicators of unsuccessful educational and occupational achievement. In conclusion, the study findings suggest that assessment of intelligence may provide crucial information for educational planning and counselling of poor-functioning schoolchildren and adolescents with regard to both the immediate educational goals and the more distant work-related future.

Suggested Citation

  • Hegelund, Emilie Rune & Flensborg-Madsen, Trine & Dammeyer, Jesper & Mortensen, Erik Lykke, 2018. "Low IQ as a predictor of unsuccessful educational and occupational achievement: A register-based study of 1,098,742 men in Denmark 1968–2016," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 46-53.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intell:v:71:y:2018:i:c:p:46-53
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2018.10.002
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. McGue, Matt & Anderson, Elise L. & Willoughby, Emily & Giannelis, Alexandros & Iacono, William G. & Lee, James J., 2022. "Not by g alone: The benefits of a college education among individuals with low levels of general cognitive ability," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    2. Vélez-Coto, María & Rute-Pérez, Sandra & Pérez-García, Miguel & Caracuel, Alfonso, 2021. "Unemployment and general cognitive ability: A review and meta-analysis," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    3. Hegelund, Emilie R. & Okholm, Gunhild T. & Teasdale, Thomas W., 2021. "The secular trend of intelligence test scores in the present century: The Danish experience," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    4. Eiberg, Misja & Olsen, Rikke Fuglsang, 2022. "Too high or too low? the role of educational expectations for children in out-of-home care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    5. Hegelund, Emilie Rune & Grønkjær, Marie & Osler, Merete & Dammeyer, Jesper & Flensborg-Madsen, Trine & Mortensen, Erik Lykke, 2020. "The influence of educational attainment on intelligence," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    6. Tordön, Rikard & Bladh, Marie & Svedin, Carl Göran & Sydsjö, Gunilla, 2020. "Challenging intellectual, behavioral and educational prerequisites for interventions aimed at school aged children in foster care. A compilation of Swedish test results," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    7. Emilie Rune Hegelund & Marie Grønkjær & Naja Kirstine Andersen & Cathrine Lawaetz Wimmelmann & Erik Lykke Mortensen & Trine Flensborg-Madsen, 2022. "The Influence of Intelligence in Young Adulthood on Quality of Life in Midlife: a Danish Cohort Study of 893 Men," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(3), pages 1189-1202, June.

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