A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Association of pupil vandalism, bullying and truancy with teachers' absence due to illness: A multilevel analysis




AuthorsErvasti J, Kivimaki M, Puusniekka R, Luopa P, Pentti J, Suominen S, Vahtera J, Virtanen M

PublisherPERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Publication year2012

JournalJournal of School Psychology

Journal name in sourceJOURNAL OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY

Journal acronymJ SCHOOL PSYCHOL

Number in series3

Volume50

Issue3

First page 347

Last page361

Number of pages15

ISSN0022-4405

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2011.11.006


Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine whether vandalism, bullying, and truancy among pupils at school are associated with absence due to illness among teachers. Data on such problem behaviour of 17,033 pupils ill 90 schools were linked to absence records of 2364 teachers. Pupil reported vandalism and bullying at the school-level were associated with teachers' short-term (1- to 3-day) absences. Cumulative exposure to various forms of pupils' problem behaviour was associated with even higher rates of short-term absences among teachers. No association was found between pupils' problem behaviour and teachers' long-term (> 3-day) absences. In conclusion, there seems to be a link between pupils' problem behaviour and teachers' short-term absence due to illness. Further work should determine whether problem behaviour is a cause or a consequence of absences or whether the association is noncausal. (C) 2011 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.



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