Risk factors for school-based presenteeism in children: a systematic review
Introduction Children attending school whilst unwell, known as school-based presenteeism, results in negative impacts on education and mental and physical health. We aimed to identify the risk factors for this behaviour. Method We conducted a systematic search of five databases (11 July 2022) using...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01207-1 |
| _version_ | 1797817742690091008 |
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| author | Lisa Woodland Samantha K. Brooks Rebecca K. Webster Richard Amlôt G. James Rubin |
| author_facet | Lisa Woodland Samantha K. Brooks Rebecca K. Webster Richard Amlôt G. James Rubin |
| author_sort | Lisa Woodland |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction Children attending school whilst unwell, known as school-based presenteeism, results in negative impacts on education and mental and physical health. We aimed to identify the risk factors for this behaviour. Method We conducted a systematic search of five databases (11 July 2022) using words associated with school (e.g., school and childcare) and presenteeism (e.g., presenteeism and sick leave). The studies are synthesised according to the risk factors associated with school-based presenteeism and are grouped into themes by related topics. Results Our review included 18 studies, with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method study designs. Children, parents, and school staff reported past incidents and intentions for future presenteeism. We identified five themes from these reports: perceptions about the illness / signs and symptom(s); children’s characteristics; children’s and parents’ motivations and attitudes towards school; organisational factors; and school sickness policy. Increased risk of school-based presenteeism was commonly linked to symptoms that were perceived low in severity and unidentifiable, children with a high school absence record, disbelief in children’s illness, unsupportive employers, vague school policies and financial consequences. Conclusions School-based presenteeism is complex due to the competing interests of the multiple individuals involved, such as children, parents, and school staff. Sickness policies need to include clear and specific guidance about illness and the signs and symptoms of diseases and should be communicated to all relevant individuals to mitigate against discrepancies in how the policy is interpreted. Furthermore, parents and school staff need support, such as financial and childcare, to be able to manage children when they are unwell. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T08:57:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fb469b28c0f640118f76a3cec3ca5f84 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T08:57:57Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-fb469b28c0f640118f76a3cec3ca5f842023-05-28T11:31:20ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832023-05-0111111210.1186/s40359-023-01207-1Risk factors for school-based presenteeism in children: a systematic reviewLisa Woodland0Samantha K. Brooks1Rebecca K. Webster2Richard Amlôt3G. James Rubin4Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College LondonDepartment of Psychological Medicine, King’s College LondonDepartment of Psychology, University of SheffieldBehavioural Science and Insights Unit, Health Security AgencyDepartment of Psychological Medicine, King’s College LondonIntroduction Children attending school whilst unwell, known as school-based presenteeism, results in negative impacts on education and mental and physical health. We aimed to identify the risk factors for this behaviour. Method We conducted a systematic search of five databases (11 July 2022) using words associated with school (e.g., school and childcare) and presenteeism (e.g., presenteeism and sick leave). The studies are synthesised according to the risk factors associated with school-based presenteeism and are grouped into themes by related topics. Results Our review included 18 studies, with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method study designs. Children, parents, and school staff reported past incidents and intentions for future presenteeism. We identified five themes from these reports: perceptions about the illness / signs and symptom(s); children’s characteristics; children’s and parents’ motivations and attitudes towards school; organisational factors; and school sickness policy. Increased risk of school-based presenteeism was commonly linked to symptoms that were perceived low in severity and unidentifiable, children with a high school absence record, disbelief in children’s illness, unsupportive employers, vague school policies and financial consequences. Conclusions School-based presenteeism is complex due to the competing interests of the multiple individuals involved, such as children, parents, and school staff. Sickness policies need to include clear and specific guidance about illness and the signs and symptoms of diseases and should be communicated to all relevant individuals to mitigate against discrepancies in how the policy is interpreted. Furthermore, parents and school staff need support, such as financial and childcare, to be able to manage children when they are unwell.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01207-1PresenteeismSchoolChildrenSystematic reviewIllnessInfectious disease |
| spellingShingle | Lisa Woodland Samantha K. Brooks Rebecca K. Webster Richard Amlôt G. James Rubin Risk factors for school-based presenteeism in children: a systematic review BMC Psychology Presenteeism School Children Systematic review Illness Infectious disease |
| title | Risk factors for school-based presenteeism in children: a systematic review |
| title_full | Risk factors for school-based presenteeism in children: a systematic review |
| title_fullStr | Risk factors for school-based presenteeism in children: a systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Risk factors for school-based presenteeism in children: a systematic review |
| title_short | Risk factors for school-based presenteeism in children: a systematic review |
| title_sort | risk factors for school based presenteeism in children a systematic review |
| topic | Presenteeism School Children Systematic review Illness Infectious disease |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01207-1 |
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