School absenteeism and mental health among sexual minority youth and heterosexual youth.
Adolescent school absenteeism is associated with negative outcomes such as conduct disorders, substance abuse, and dropping out of school. Mental health factors, such as depression and anxiety, have been found to be associated with increased absenteeism from school. Sexual minority youth (youth who are attracted to the same sex or endorse a gay, lesbian, or bisexual identity) are a group at risk for increased absenteeism due to fear, avoidance, and higher rates of depression and anxiety than their heterosexual peers. The present study used longitudinal data to compare sexual minority youth and heterosexual youth on excused and unexcused absences from school and to evaluate differences in the relations between depression and anxiety symptoms and school absences among sexual minority youth and heterosexual youth. A total of 108 14- to 19-years-old adolescents (71% female and 26% sexual minority) completed self-report measures of excused and unexcused absences and depression and anxiety symptoms. Compared to heterosexual youth, sexual minority youth reported more excused and unexcused absences and more depression and anxiety symptoms. Sexual minority status significantly moderated the effects of depression and anxiety symptoms on unexcused absences such that depression and anxiety symptoms were stronger predictors of unexcused absences for sexual minority youth than for heterosexual youth. The results demonstrate that sexual minority status and mental health are important factors to consider when assessing school absenteeism and when developing interventions to prevent or reduce school absenteeism among adolescents.
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, USA.
Chad M
CM
Burton
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, USA; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, USA. Electronic address: marsmp@upmc.edu.
Michael P
MP
Marshal
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, USA.
Deena J
DJ
Chisolm
D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D012574:Schools; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Anxiety; Depression; School absenteeism; Sexual minority youth; Truancy