An Examination of Chronic Absenteeism and Youth Mental Health in Georgia: Before,During,and After COVID-19

Abstract

Chronic absenteeism has steeply increased since COVID-19. Contemporaneously, there has been increased concern about youth mental health. Using administrative data from Georgia (n = 7,807), we use a school fixed effects model to examine the relationship between youth mental health and chronic absenteeism. In urban schools, we find that schools with a higher percentage of students experiencing mental health difficulties report lower chronic absenteeism after COVID-19 relative to the pre-pandemic years. Drawing on an asset-based framework, we interpret the findings as reflecting the efforts of educators in urban settings to address youth mental health and absenteeism challenges.

Keywords

chronic absenteeism attendance mental health suicidal thoughts and behaviors COVID-19

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