The Journal of school health | 2021
Chronic Absenteeism: Risks and Protective Factors Among Low-Income, Minority Children and Adolescents.
Abstract
BACKGROUND\nLow-income and racial/ethnic minority students often face distinct challenges in attending school eading to lower academic performance, low graduation rates, and overall, an indicator of diminished long-term social and financial stability. Chronic absenteeism is a national problem and to address this, a better understanding of risks and points of intervention for the students most at risk is needed. This cross-sectional study sought to assess risks and protective factors associated with chronic absenteeism in a predominantly low-income minority school district in Southern.\n\n\nMETHODS\nConducted in southern California, students (N\xa0=\xa024,439) ages 9 to 21\u2009years were recruited. A logistic regression was used to assess the role poor physical and mental health, safety, bullying, and family risk factors attributed to chronic absenteeism.\n\n\nRESULTS\nResults revealed that asthma (odds ratio [OR]\xa0=\xa01.35, p\u2009<\u2009.001), being overweight/obese (OR\xa0=\xa01.38, p\u2009<\u2009.01), presence of family risk factors (OR\xa0=\xa01.49, p\u2009<\u2009.001), bullying (OR\xa0=\xa00.84, p\u2009<\u2009.05) and perceptions of safety at school (OR\xa0=\xa01.24, p\u2009<\u2009.05) increased the odds of chronic absenteeism, while protective factors such as support (OR\xa0=\xa01.30, p\u2009<\u2009.001), increased sleep (OR\xa0=\xa00.96, p\u2009<\u2009.001) and positive growth mindset (OR\xa0=\xa00.96, p\u2009<\u2009.001), mitigated it.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThis study not only identifies risk but protective factors worth adhering to, to promote school attendance. Future research should further examine the role of mental health in chronic absenteeism.