Relationship between School Absenteeism and Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents with Juvenile Fibromyalgia

• Published in: Journal of pediatric psychology Vol. 35; no. 9; pp. 996 - 1004
• Main Authors: Kashikar-Zuck, Susmita, Johnston, Megan, Ting, Tracy V., Graham, Brent T., Lynch-Jordan, Anne M., Verkamp, Emily, Passo, Murray, Schikler, Kenneth N., Hashkes, Philip J., Spalding, Steven, Banez, Gerard, Richards, Margaret M., Powers, Scott W., Arnold, Lesley M., Lovell, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Atlanta, GA Oxford University Press 01-10-2010
• Subjects: Absenteeism; Adolescent; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child clinical studies; Depression; Depression - complications; Depression - psychology; depressive symptoms; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Female; Fibromyalgia - complications; Fibromyalgia - psychology; Humans; juvenile fibromyalgia; Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Osteoarticular involvement in other diseases; Mood disorders; Pain - complications; Pain - psychology; Pain Measurement; pediatric pain; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; school absences; school functioning; Schools; Section: Pediatric Pain; Human; Mood disorder; Pediatrics; school functioning; School adaptation; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Fibromyalgia; Depression; pediatric pain; Absenteeism; depressive symptoms; School environment; Symptomatology; Striated muscle disease; Chronic; Pain; Adolescent; school absences; Child; juvenile fibromyalgia
• ISSN: 0146-8693; 1465-735X
• DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsq020

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.