Understanding school presenteeism and absence in adolescents affected by chronic musculoskeletal pain: A qualitative study
Understanding school presenteeism and absence in adolescents affected by chronic musculoskeletal pain: A qualitative study
Background and objectives: absenteeism among adolescents experiencing chronic pain is a critical issue, and factors influencing absence have been identified as an evidence gap. Existing research overlooks aspects beyond attendance, such as presenteeism, reflecting adolescents' school functioning before becoming absent. This novel qualitative study sought to identify the influencing factors on presenteeism and absence from school in adolescents (11–18 years) experiencing chronic pain, through exploration of adolescent and parent perspectives.
Methods: this study conducted a secondary analysis of qualitative data using semi-structured interviews and a timeline drawing from 21 adolescents treated for chronic musculoskeletal pain and 21 parents. Data regarding school experiences were extracted and analysed using the six stages of thematic analysis, identified by Braun and Clarke. Initial codes were identified manually, discussed and validated by all authors in a face-to-face meeting.
Results: thematic analysis of the data identified three themes: (1) understanding the unseen struggle, (2) the feeling of belonging and (3) navigating transitions.
Conclusion: a key finding was the importance of adolescents feeling understood and supported by their peers and teachers throughout their education. Receiving validation of their symptoms, despite the invisible nature of chronic pain, affirmed a sense of security at school, contributed to a more positive school experience and improved adolescents' reported attendance. This has important practice implications in healthcare and education, in validating the adolescents' struggle, fostering a sense of belonging through shared goal setting and advocating for their voices to be heard.
Sherwood, Beau
43d36109-221b-4a5d-ad21-ea4adac942bf
Roberts, Lisa
0a937943-5246-4877-bd6b-4dcd172b5cd0
Joslin, Rhiannon
2724bff5-4248-43db-b2d5-47bc10c1033e
15 July 2025
Sherwood, Beau
43d36109-221b-4a5d-ad21-ea4adac942bf
Roberts, Lisa
0a937943-5246-4877-bd6b-4dcd172b5cd0
Joslin, Rhiannon
2724bff5-4248-43db-b2d5-47bc10c1033e
Sherwood, Beau, Roberts, Lisa and Joslin, Rhiannon
(2025)
Understanding school presenteeism and absence in adolescents affected by chronic musculoskeletal pain: A qualitative study.
Child: Care, Health and Development, 51 (4).
(doi:10.1111/cch.70140).
Abstract
Background and objectives: absenteeism among adolescents experiencing chronic pain is a critical issue, and factors influencing absence have been identified as an evidence gap. Existing research overlooks aspects beyond attendance, such as presenteeism, reflecting adolescents' school functioning before becoming absent. This novel qualitative study sought to identify the influencing factors on presenteeism and absence from school in adolescents (11–18 years) experiencing chronic pain, through exploration of adolescent and parent perspectives.
Methods: this study conducted a secondary analysis of qualitative data using semi-structured interviews and a timeline drawing from 21 adolescents treated for chronic musculoskeletal pain and 21 parents. Data regarding school experiences were extracted and analysed using the six stages of thematic analysis, identified by Braun and Clarke. Initial codes were identified manually, discussed and validated by all authors in a face-to-face meeting.
Results: thematic analysis of the data identified three themes: (1) understanding the unseen struggle, (2) the feeling of belonging and (3) navigating transitions.
Conclusion: a key finding was the importance of adolescents feeling understood and supported by their peers and teachers throughout their education. Receiving validation of their symptoms, despite the invisible nature of chronic pain, affirmed a sense of security at school, contributed to a more positive school experience and improved adolescents' reported attendance. This has important practice implications in healthcare and education, in validating the adolescents' struggle, fostering a sense of belonging through shared goal setting and advocating for their voices to be heard.
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Child - 2025 - Sherwood - Understanding School Presenteeism and Absence in Adolescents Affected by Chronic Musculoskeletal
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Accepted/In Press date: 4 July 2025
Published date: 15 July 2025
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Local EPrints ID: 504103
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/504103
ISSN: 0305-1862
PURE UUID: 36e8b6ca-c591-4bea-91b6-fa410418fb1c
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Date deposited: 26 Aug 2025 16:41
Last modified: 27 Aug 2025 02:11
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Author:
Beau Sherwood
Author:
Rhiannon Joslin
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