Systemic and Clinical Strategies for Preventing School Refusal Behavior in Youth

Abstract

This article summarizes clinical aspects of school refusal behavior and school dropout as well as community, school, parent/family, social, personal, and academic success predictors of these problems. In addition, systemic strategies to prevent school refusal behavior and dropout are discussed. These include community-, school-, and parent/family-based strategies that emphasize professional collaboration and support to reduce absenteeism. Furthermore, clinical strategies to prevent school refusal behavior and dropout in individual cases are described. These clinical strategies include photographs, videotaping, structured activities outside the home, booster sessions, and introduction to a new school. Suggestions are also made for youth with chronic school refusal behavior and for addressing full-blown relapse.