A1 Journal article (refereed)
Development of Participation in and Identification With School : Associations With Truancy (2021)

Virtanen, T. E., Räikkönen, E., Lerkkanen, M.-K., Määttä, S., & Vasalampi, K. (2021). Development of Participation in and Identification With School : Associations With Truancy. Journal of Early Adolescence, 41(3), 394-423. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431620919155

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Virtanen, Tuomo E.; Räikkönen, Eija; Lerkkanen, Marja-Kristiina; Määttä, Sami; Vasalampi, Kati

Journal or series: Journal of Early Adolescence

ISSN: 0272-4316

eISSN: 1552-5449

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 41

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 394-423

Publisher: Sage Publications

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431620919155

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/69662

Abstract

This longitudinal study covering two educational transitions examined 1,821 Finnish students’ participation in and identification with school and their associations with students’ academic achievement and truancy. The students were surveyed (a) at the end of primary school, (b) at the beginning of lower secondary school, (c) at the end of lower secondary school, and (d) in the first year of upper secondary education. In alignment with the participation-identification model, higher levels of participation in school activities at the end of primary school predicted higher levels of identification (i.e., feelings of belonging and valuing school) at the end of lower secondary school. This association was mediated by academic achievement. High levels of both participation and identification at the end of lower secondary school predicted lower levels of truancy in upper secondary education. The study indicates that promoting students’ participation and identification during comprehensive school prevents student disengagement from upper secondary education.

Keywords: school attendance; success; study performance; participation; social inclusion; identification (psychology); transitional phases; truancy; dropping out; school drop-outs

Free keywords: participation-identification model; self-determination theory; academic achievement; truancy; school transitions

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2020

JUFO rating: 1