INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)
ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XI November 2025
Psychological and Behavioral Factors
Psychological and behavioral factors play a vital role in students’ ability to remain in school, as mental health
challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress can negatively affect concentration, motivation, and academic
performance. Studies show that students experiencing mental health difficulties are at a significantly higher risk
of dropping out due to increased absenteeism, reduced engagement, and difficulty coping with academic
demands (Andersen et al., 2021). Peer influence also shapes dropout risk, as association with peers involved in
truancy, disruptive behavior, or substance use, as well as experiences of bullying, can weaken students’ sense of
safety and belonging in school (Gubbels et al., 2019). Learners’ self-efficacy and future orientation further
influence persistence, with students who possess clear goals and confidence in their abilities demonstrating
greater resilience compared to those with low motivation and limited aspirations (Kassarnig, 2018). School-
based mental health support systems, including counseling services and peer mentoring, are therefore essential
in identifying at-risk learners early and providing emotional and academic support that fosters resilience,
engagement, and reduced dropout rates (Rumberger et al., 2017).
Intervention Programs and Best Practices
Effective school dropout prevention requires a combination of research-based strategies, targeted support
services, and strong community involvement. In the Philippine context, alternative delivery modes such as the
Open High School Program (OHSP) provide flexible learning opportunities for students unable to attend
traditional classes and have been shown to reduce dropout rates despite challenges related to teacher workload,
training, and learning resources. Complementary interventions—including mentoring, tutoring, financial
assistance, and flexible learning arrangements—address both academic and non-academic barriers by
accommodating students’ diverse needs and circumstances (Banaag et al., 2024). Government initiatives such as
Alternative Delivery Modes, child protection policies, and career guidance programs further support student
retention by promoting inclusive and supportive school environments, while international evidence demonstrates
that educational cash transfer programs effectively reduce dropout by easing financial burdens on low-income
families (Anggara & Jasmina, 2024). Research emphasizes that sustainable dropout prevention programs adopt
holistic, data-driven, and community-based approaches that integrate academic monitoring, counseling, parental
engagement, and partnerships with local stakeholders (Rumberger et al., 2017). Schools that institutionalize these
interventions through strong leadership, continuous evaluation, and context-sensitive implementation are more
likely to achieve lasting reductions in dropout rates (Crocker, 2019).
Theoretical Framework
This study is grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (1979), which explains that students’
risk of dropping out is influenced by multiple, interconnected environmental systems. Immediate factors within
the microsystem, such as family relationships, peer interactions, and teacher support, directly affect students’
engagement and motivation, while weak connections between home and school in the mesosystem may hinder
early identification and intervention. Indirect influences from the exosystem, including parents’ work conditions,
school policies, and access to support services, can further shape learning experiences. Broader cultural values,
social norms, and educational policies within the macrosystem, as well as life transitions and significant events
captured in the chronosystem, also play a critical role in shaping students’ educational pathways. Using this
ecological perspective, the study examines how these interacting systems contribute to dropout risk among senior
high school students and informs the development of holistic, multi-level intervention strategies to support at-
risk learners.
Research Gaps
Existing studies identify various causes of student dropout, but they generally focus on broad national or regional
trends and rarely examine how social, family, school-related, and cultural factors interact within a single local
context. Research by Parreño (2023), Zengin (2021), and Bibon (2021) highlights general predictors or
individual traits but lacks a school-level, multidimensional analysis, especially in small island communities like
Siargao. Although DepEd requires SARDO profiling, little empirical evidence shows how these indicators
manifest in GIDAs, and most recommended interventions remain generic rather than tailored to local realities.
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