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. 2023 Oct;54(5):1459-1475.
doi: 10.1007/s10578-022-01358-z. Epub 2022 Apr 10.

Modifiable Parent Factors Associated with Child and Adolescent School Refusal: A Systematic Review

Meena Chockalingam  1 , Kayan Skinner  2 , Glenn Melvin  3 , Marie B H Yap  4   5
Affiliations

Modifiable Parent Factors Associated with Child and Adolescent School Refusal: A Systematic Review

Meena Chockalingam et al. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2023 Oct.

Abstract

School refusal is a complex problem that refers to difficulty attending/remaining at school due to emotional distress about attendance. Despite its occurrence being associated with negative outcomes, many are unresponsive to the current treatment options. While parent factors have a key role to play in school refusal, they are not adequately addressed in existing treatments. Further research is needed to consolidate understanding and implement new treatments. Employing the PRISMA method, this review aims to identify modifiable parent factors associated with child and/or adolescent school refusal. Eight studies met inclusion criteria from which nine factors were identified. Factors found to be associated with school refusal included: parent psychopathology, family functioning and maternal overprotection (communication subdomain). Other factors such as maternal overprotection (affection, assistance and travel subdomains) and parental self-efficacy had weak or inconsistent results warranting further investigation. Overall, findings call for action in this field that has sparse and dated literature.

Keywords: Adolescents; Anxiety; Children; Modifiable parent factors; School refusal.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flowchart
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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