Household Risk Profiles as Predictors of Absenteeism in Head Start: Exploring Family Engagement Factors as Buffers

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Abstract

Understanding who is absent and what levers may reduce absenteeism is important for mitigating the negative consequences associated with absenteeism. Using a national sample of children enrolled in Head Start (N = 2,496), the present study used latent profile analysis to understand whether and how patterns of household risk factors predicted children’s absenteeism. This study also examined for whom two family engagement factors may be more versus less salient in reducing absenteeism. Results showed that five household risk profiles emerged, which differentially predicted children’s rates of absenteeism across the preschool year. Parents’ sense of connection to Head Start and programs’ provision of family services were negatively associated with children’s rates of absenteeism, and these associations did not vary by profile.

Author

• Wendy Wei, Harvard University