Chronic Absenteeism: Risks and Protective Factors Among Low-Income, Minority Children and Adolescents

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Low-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. METHODS: Conducted in southern California, students (N = 24,439) ages 9 to 21 years 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. RESULTS: Results revealed that asthma (odds ratio [OR] = 1.35, p