School Absenteeism & Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents with Juvenile Fibromyalgia

[Guest guest]

Relationship between School Absenteeism and Depressive Symptoms among

Adolescents with Juvenile Fibromyalgia

http://jpepsy.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/jsq020

Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access published online on April 1,

2010

Objective To describe school absences in adolescents with Juvenile Primary

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (JPFS) and examine the relationship between school

absenteeism, pain, psychiatric symptoms, and maternal pain history.

Methods Adolescents with JPFS (N = 102; mean age 14.96 years) completed

measures of pain and depressive symptoms, and completed a psychiatric

interview. Parents provided information about the adolescents' school

absences, type of schooling, and parental pain history. School attendance

reports were obtained directly from schools.

Results Over 12% of adolescents with JPFS were homeschooled. Those enrolled

in regular school missed 2.9 days per month on average, with one-third of

participants missing more than 3 days per month. Pain and maternal pain

history were not related to school absenteeism. However, depressive symptoms

were significantly associated with school absences.

Conclusion Many adolescents with JPFS experience difficulties with regular

school attendance. Long-term risks associated with school absenteeism and

the importance of addressing psychological factors are discussed.

Key words: depressive symptoms; juvenile fibromyalgia; pediatric pain;

school absences; school functioning.