ABSTRACT School staff have an important role to play in identifying and assisting pupils who require additional support to regularly attend school, but their beliefs about risk factors might influence their decisions regarding intervention. This qualitative study investigated educational practitioners’ beliefs about risk factors for attendance problems. Sixteen practitioners from three secondary schools were interviewed via focus groups. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Practitioners identified risk factors related to the individual, their family, peers and school. Poor mental health was identified as a risk factor, but practitioners primarily focused on anxiety rather than other mental health problems like depression or behavioural disorders. The overall perception was that school factors were less important than individual, family and peer factors. Implications include a need for increased awareness of the role of school factors in attendance problems, focus on promoting positive peer and pupil-teacher relationships, and collaborative working between young people, families and schools.

中文翻译：

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中学从业人员对上学问题风险因素的看法：一项定性研究

摘要 学校工作人员在识别和帮助需要额外支持才能定期上学的学生方面发挥着重要作用，但他们对风险因素的看法可能会影响他们关于干预的决定。这项定性研究调查了教育从业者对出勤问题风险因素的看法。通过焦点小组采访了来自三所中学的 16 名从业者。使用主题分析对数据进行分析。从业者确定了与个人、他们的家庭、同龄人和学校相关的风险因素。心理健康不佳被认为是一个风险因素，但从业者主要关注的是焦虑，而不是其他心理健康问题，如抑郁症或行为障碍。总体感觉是学校因素不如个人重要，家庭和同伴因素。其影响包括需要提高对学校因素在出勤问题中的作用的认识，注重促进积极的同伴和师生关系，以及年轻人、家庭和学校之间的协作。