<![CDATA[Truancy behavior is a form of school discipline violation that has negative impacts on students’ academic, social, and psychological development. This study aims to describe the patterns of truancy behavior, identify its contributing factors and impacts, and analyze efforts to address truancy through a behavioral counseling approach using the behavior contract technique. This research employed a qualitative method with a case study design involving two eighth-grade students at SMP Negeri 2 Belopa, Luwu Regency, who consistently exhibited truancy behavior. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, and analyzed using data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that students’ truancy behavior was characterized by a high frequency of unexcused absences and a tendency to skip specific subjects. The contributing factors included internal factors such as low learning motivation, difficulty understanding lessons, and perceived excessive academic workload, as well as external factors including a lack of family attention and peer influence. The impacts of truancy were evident in declining academic achievement, social problems, psychological stress, and unclear future planning. The implementation of individual counseling using the behavior contract technique showed positive changes, as indicated by a decrease in truancy frequency and an improvement in students’ school attendance. This study recommends the application of the behavior contract technique as an effective alternative intervention in guidance and counseling services to address students’ truancy behavior.]]>
