An Examination of Chronic Absenteeism and Youth Mental Health in Georgia: Before, During, and After COVID-19
Abstract
Chronic absenteeism has steeply increased since COVID-19. Contemporaneously, there has been increased concern about youth mental health. Using administrative data from Georgia ( n = 7,807), we use a school fixed effects model to examine the relationship between youth mental health and chronic absenteeism. In urban schools, we find that schools with a higher percentage of students experiencing mental health difficulties report lower chronic absenteeism after COVID-19 relative to the pre-pandemic years. Drawing on an asset-based framework, we interpret the findings as reflecting the efforts of educators in urban settings to address youth mental health and absenteeism challenges.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Youth Substance Use and School Attendance
COVID-19 and Mental Health
Mental Health Research Topics
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Urban Education
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Volume
- 61
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 2136-2179
- Publication date
- 5 February 2026
- Language
- EN