Attitudes Toward School and School Plans, Given Levels of Family Alcohol, Substance, and Physical Abuse

• In Event: Health Education and Multiagency Collaboration in Schools

Abstract

Using the 2010 Minnesota Student Survey of all students in 6th, 9th, and 12th grade (N=130,908), we investigated the effects of physical abuse and parental drug and alcohol abuse on students’ attitudes toward school and their school plans (regarding high school completion and beyond). As education attainment is becoming more and more important in our society, identifying and supporting children faced with serious family problems may help combat potential negative attitudes toward school and increase their chances of seeking and obtaining education beyond high school. Dramatic associations are disentangled related to student ethnicity and family structure and rates of family-related problems. The paper includes implications for educators as well as community leaders and health and human services program personnel.

Authors

• Ari Jacob Warshawsky, Carleton College

• Michael C. Rodriguez, University of Minnesota

• Julio C. Cabrera, University of Minnesota

• Jose R. Palma Zamora, University of Minnesota

• Anthony Daniel Albano, University of Nebraska

• Yi Vue, University of Minnesota