Avoiding School. A Longitudinal Study on the Association between School pressure and Truancy among High School Students.

Abstract

School pressure is increasing among Dutch youth and may poses a risk for truancy. This study aims to answer the following research question: To what extent does school pressure influence high school students truancy, and what is the role of sex and parental monitoring in this relationship? By testing a possible predictor of truancy this study aims to update scientific knowledge of truancy and create possibilities to prevent truancy and it’s negative outcomes. The study has a longitudinal design. The sample consists of 1357 Dutch high school students (Mage = 14.15; SDage = 1.034; 48.5% boys). The data showed that school pressure at T1 did not significantly predict truancy at T2 (OR = 1.010; p = .933). So far, this study showed no evidence that the increasing trend in school pressure poses a risk for the truancy rates in the Netherlands. Yet, the results should be seen in the context of the study limitations. Based on the results of this study school attendance officers can be advised not to use a measure of school pressure to target students at risk for truancy.