Family Background and Social Marginalisation in Denmark

The objective of this study is to examine how different types of social marginalisation can interact, and how parents’ socioeconomic status and psychosocialproblems affect a child’s risk of social marginalisation. The study is based in register data for the adult population in Denmark, as well as on qualitative interviews with practitioners in the social sector.
The study examines when mental illness, alcohol and substance abuse, homelessness and imprisonment can be seen as risk indicators for social marginalisation. The analysis identifies different marginalised groups that have different profiles with regard to the risk indicators.
The study also examines the group of 18-24-year-olds with regard to what characterises the family background of marginalised youth compared with their peers, and how social marginalisation in youth and early adulthood affects the youths throughout their education and when they enter the labour market.
The study was commissioned and financed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Interior.