Absenteeism & Lower Grades Linked To Student Mental Health

Students with chronic absenteeism and students with lower grades are more likely to have worse mental health, indicated by a “high difficulties” score on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), than other students. Among students with good attendance halfway through the school year, 7.1% had a SDQ high difficulties scores. Among students with chronic absences, 23% had a SDQ high difficulties score. Students who earn some Cs in schools are three-to-four times more likely to have a high difficulties score (19%) compared with students earning all As and Bs (6%).

The 25-item SDQ is a self . . .