Prospective Associations Between Youth Assets and Truancy Within the Context of Family Structure.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to examine the prospective associations between 17 individual, family, and community level youth assets and truancy among adolescents living in 1-parent and 2-parent households.

METHODS

Five waves of data were collected annually over a 4-year period from a racially/ethnically diverse sample of adolescents (N = 722, 51.5% female, mean age = 14.1 years). Generalized linear mixed models were used to identify prospective associations between youth assets and truancy while stratifying by family structure and controlling sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS

Five of the 17 youth assets were significantly associated (p < .05) with reduced odds of truancy among adolescents living in 1-parent households compared to 10 of 17 assets for adolescents living in 2-parent households. The significant asset/truancy associations were stronger for adolescents living in 1-parent households, whereas for adolescents living in 2-parent households, more of the community assets were significantly protective (p < .05) from truancy.

CONCLUSION

Assets that focus on supporting adolescents' future aspirations and expectations may reduce truancy among those living in 1-parent households, whereas assets that promote community involvement and increased interaction with teachers and peers may protect adolescents living in 2-parent households from truancy.