["Journal of School Health, Volume 96, Issue 5, May 2026. ", "\nABSTRACT\n\nBackground\nTruancy, or unexcused school absenteeism, is linked to adolescent psychosocial and behavioral problems and may serve as a behavioral marker of developmental and ecological vulnerability. This study examined associations between truancy and psychosocial distress, violence, limited social support, and substance use among Filipino students.\n\nMethods\nData were drawn from the 2019 Philippines Global School‐Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) of adolescents in Grades 7–10 (ages 13–17). Truancy was defined as missing school without permission during the past 30 days. Twenty‐three variables covering psychosocial problems, violence, social support, and substance use were analyzed using logistic regression, stratified by sex.\n\nResults\nAbout 32.6% of students reported truancy in the past month, with higher odds among older and male adolescents. Truant students had elevated odds of loneliness, anxiety, suicidal behaviors, bullying, violence, and substance use. Female students exhibited higher odds of alcohol and marijuana use relative to males. Truant students were more likely to report limited parental support and peer isolation.\n\nImplications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity\nRecognizing truancy as an early warning marker can inform school‐based screening, psychosocial support, and gender‐sensitive interventions to reduce inequities.\n\nConclusions\nTruancy may reflect underlying psychosocial challenges, underscoring the need for proactive, tiered school‐based identification and support strategies for at‐risk adolescents.\n"]