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Associates of school absenteeism in adolescents with sickle cell disease
Author(s) -
Schwartz Lisa A.,
Radcliffe Jerilynn,
Barakat Lamia P.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.21819
Subject(s) - absenteeism , psychosocial , medicine , attendance , disease , family medicine , clinical psychology , gerontology , psychiatry , psychology , social psychology , economic growth , economics
Background Despite high rates of school absenteeism in adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD), the issue remains understudied. Potential associates of school absenteeism in adolescents with SCD include demographic (age, income), psychosocial (IQ, self‐efficacy, competence, internalizing symptoms, negative thinking), and health‐related (hemoglobin, health‐care utilization, pain, disease knowledge). Procedure Forty participants ages 12–18 completed measures of psychosocial functioning, IQ, and pain. Medical chart reviews identified other health‐related variables. A subsample also completed an assessment of goals. Using school records, absenteeism was the percent of school days missed in the previous year. Correlations tested associates of absenteeism and linear regression tested a model of absenteeism. Results Participants missed an average of 12% of the school year and more than 35% missed at least 1 month of school. Health‐related and psychosocial variables, but not demographic variables, correlated with absenteeism. Attendance at clinic appointments and parent‐reported teen pain frequency were significant associates of absenteeism in the regression model. For those who completed goal assessment, over 40% of goals identified were academically focused. Absenteeism was positively related to current academic goals and health‐related hindrance of academic goals, and negatively related to future‐oriented academic goals. Conclusions School absenteeism is a significant problem for adolescents with SCD despite the presence of academic goals. Collaboration between schools, parents, patients, and providers to understand and manage the impact of SCD on school attendance is recommended. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:92–96. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.