Adolescent school attendance patterns and the effects of coping style

The focus of this study was to examine the effects of a student\u27s manner of coping with stressors on school attendance patterns. The primary hypothesis of this study was that avoidant coping style would predict higher rates of student absenteeism. It was also hypothesized that certain specific coping strategies, within the approach and avoidant styles of coping, would be related to adolescent school attendance patterns, and that gender and age differences in coping would also be observed. The sample included 272 2–14 year old students enrolled in a school system in a small Southern town. Specific personal information was obtained from a brief demographic questionnaire, and student participants completed the Coping Responses Inventory for Youth. Attendance data was obtained from the school system\u27s data base. Results were not supportive of the primary hypothesis, although gender differences in use of specific coping strategies was observed, consistent with previous research. Specific coping strategies were predictive of higher rates of school absenteeism, as was a student\u27s age. These findings were generally consistent with previous research. Recommendations for future research are suggested