Factors impacting childhood school refusal

Medical and psychological experts continue to identify various factors contributing to school refusal and academic performance issues in children.

Psychological causes include separation anxiety, peer bullying, performance anxiety, past trauma, and social difficulties. Experts note that sudden refusal often stems from these social or emotional stressors, while underlying conditions such as ADHD, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder may play a role. Stressful family events, including divorce or bereavement, can also lead children to seek refuge at home. Specialists emphasize that persistent avoidance is often a symptom of these underlying issues rather than mere disobedience or laziness.

Physical health significantly impacts academic engagement. Undiagnosed vision problems can be mistaken for laziness or attention deficits; ophthalmologists warn that because children may not realize their vision is blurry, parents should monitor for signals such as squinting, sitting too close to screens, frequent eye rubbing, or headaches. Other physical symptoms associated with school refusal include stomach aches, nausea, and headaches, which are frequently linked to stress and tension.

To support children, specialists recommend that parents recognize and validate their emotions. Creative tools, such as using ‘emotion maps’ or drawing, can help children externalize their fears and excitement, allowing parents to better understand how to provide necessary support.