Presenteeism and academic performance: a cross-sectional study among undergraduate university students
Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education
ISSN: 2050-7003
Article publication date: 19 April 2023
Issue publication date: 5 March 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Presenteeism is the productivity loss due to working with ill health. This paper aims to develop a presenteeism scale for students (PSS) and reveals its association with the academic achievement of undergraduate (Bachelor) students.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a cross-sectional study based on a reputed public university in Bangladesh. The study collected data from 164 undergraduate students by relying upon the systematic random sampling technique.
Findings
Nearly 70 percent of the study population have reported some health problems, with male students reporting frustration (59.6 percent) and female students reporting migraine (61.2 percent) as the most prevalent issues. Predictors such as gender, living status, television and social media use, absenteeism, physical activity, BMI (body mass index), hygienic meal intake, exhaustion score and PSS score have significantly influenced presenteeism and reduced academic performance. As many students face multiple health issues, it is recommended that the issue of presenteeism on university campuses be addressed.
Originality/value
This study breaks from the conventional approach of studying presenteeism in business settings and expands knowledge in the education domain. Additionally, it examines the interconnection of primary health conditions, work impairment score, presenteeism and academic performance.
Keywords
Citation
Haider, M.Z., Earthy, I.A., Halim, S.F.B. and Islam, M.K. (2024), "Presenteeism and academic performance: a cross-sectional study among undergraduate university students", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 343-357. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-09-2022-0291
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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