Determinants of Student Dropout in Iran: A Systematic Review

Noghani Dokht Bahmani, Mohsen; Mohammadi, Mahla

doi:10.22054/qjss.2026.86153.2891

Document Type : Review Paper

Authors

¹ Professor, Department of Social Sciences. Faculty of Literature and Humanities. Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Mashhad. Iran

² PhD Student in Economic Sociology and Development. Faculty of Literature and Humanities. Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Mashhad. Iran

https://doi.org/10.22054/qjss.2026.86153.2891

Abstract

Given the breadth and severity of the consequences of student dropout for educational equity and socio-economic development, identifying the factors influencing this phenomenon is a critical necessity. Accordingly, this study aims to identify the factors affecting student dropout in Iran through a systematic review of the research literature. The study adopts an integrative systematic review approach and follows three stages of review: antecedent, process, and outcome. After the screening procedures, 25 articles published between 1991 and 2025 were selected for analysis. The findings indicate that the factors influencing student dropout fall into two broad categories: in-school factors, including institutional weaknesses in education, low levels of social capital, and inadequate educational infrastructure; and out-of-school factors, including limited family economic and cultural capital, low individual capability and motivation, family dysfunction, constraints of the physical environment, weakened functioning of cultural capital, and social limitations. Given the dynamic interaction among these factors, effective intervention requires a systemic approach that attends to the network of causal relationships among them. Accordingly, future research is recommended to adopt a systemic and holistic perspective that considers the interrelationships among components and stakeholders, thereby enabling more effective interventions to address student dropout.

Keywords

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Determinants of Student Dropout in Iran: A Systematic Review

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Volume 32, Issue 109 - Serial Number 109July 2025Pages 1-43

Volume 32, Issue 109 - Serial Number 109
July 2025
Pages 1-43