How Health Problems Affect Children\u27s Anti-Social Behaviors and Their Attitudes Towards School

The purpose of this study is to examine how health impacts certain aspects of children’s educational experience. The study examined how health influences anti-social behaviors among children as well as their attitudes towards school. Children with health issues often experience disruptions in education leading to factors that impact their attitudes and behaviors towards school. The data for this study was taken from Health Behavior of School-Aged Children (HBSC), 2009-2010. The sample population consisted of 12,642 students. The files contained data on 12,642 students from 314 participating schools. Of the 314 participating schools a school administrator questionnaire was completed by 283 of the administrators. The hypotheses were tested using bivariate and multivariate analyses, including cross-tabulation with chi-square and linear regression. General strain theory was used to explain how people respond to stressors in life by engaging in negative coping mechanisms. Results of the study showed that the more students are diagnosed with illness, disability or medical condition, the more they get into physical fights and the more positive students perceive their overall health, the more likely they will have positive feelings towards school