Citation

Hendron M, Kearney CA. Child. Sch. 2016; 38(2): 109-116.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, National Association of Social Workers [USA], Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/cs/cdw009

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examined whether school climate variables were directly and inversely related to absenteeism severity and key symptoms of psychopathology among youths specifically referred for problematic attendance (N = 398). Adolescents in our sample completed the School Climate Survey Revised Edition, which measured sharing of resources, order and discipline, parent involvement, student interpersonal relations, and student-teacher relations. Parents completed the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale and Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised: Long to measure child anxiety, depression, and oppositional behavior. Measures were completed within the context of a family courts and services center or a truancy diversion program. Structural equation models revealed an inverse relationship between school climate variables and absenteeism severity as well as anxiety, depression, and oppositional behavior. Models were especially pertinent to older youths and to male youths. As predicted, alternative models for separation anxiety, perfectionism, and cognitive problems and inattention did not meet goodness-of-fit criteria.

FINDINGS generally support previous work that focused on broader samples of middle and high school youths. The results may have implications for preventive strategies for youths with problematic absenteeism.

Language: en