Assessing school attendance problems: A critical systematic review of questionnaires

Abstract

Assessment methods for school attendance problems (SAPs) have burgeoned tremendously in recent years. This study involved a systematic review of questionnaires assessing SAPs. Literature searches up to November 2019 were conducted in four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO and ERIC). Nine instruments met the four selection criteria: (1) to assess SAPs, (2) in children and/or adolescents, (3) providing the psychometric properties and (4) be written in English or Spanish. Descriptive analysis (instrument’s author/s and name, country, age addressed; response format; dimensions’ names and items) and psychometric properties (internal consistency, temporal stability, factorial structure and construct validity) are presented for each instrument. Commentary is provided regarding the contributions of these instruments with respect to contemporary models of SAPs.