School Refusal Behaviour: A Psycho-Behavioural Disorder in Children and Adolescent

Abstract

School refusal behaviour is defined as any child-motivated refusal to attend classes and/or difficulty remaining in classes for an entire day. School refusal is a broad term that encompasses a child motivated refusal to attend or remain at school. Many externalizing and internalizing behaviours are associated with school refusal, including tantrums, aggression, noncompliance, anxiety, depression and somatic complaints. This article, therefore, discusses the concept of school refusal behaviour as a psycho-behavioural disorder in children and adolescent. School refusal behaviour can be caused by several factors such as school related stress, anxiety, students struggling with certain subjects in school and so on, characteristics of students with school refusal which includes separation anxiety, performance anxiety, social anxiety, depression, bullying and health—related concerns were spelt out in this article. Also, functional profiles of school refusing behaviour vis-s-vis avoidance, escape, attention and rewards was diagrammatically represented as well as consequences of school refusal were discussed in details. Finally, prevention and treatment of school refusal behaviour in children and adolescent were also outlined and discussed. This article, therefore, concluded that school refusal is often associated with comorbid psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is important to identify problems early and provide appropriate interventions to prevent further difficulties.