School refusal in children and adolescents: a review of the past 10 years.
OBJECTIVE
To critically review the past 10 years of research on school refusal in children and adolescents.


METHODS
Literature on school refusal published from 1990 onward was reviewed following a systematic search of PsycINFO. The review focuses on definitional issues, epidemiology and school refusal identification, diagnostic considerations, family functioning, assessment, treatment, and follow-up studies.


RESULTS
While definitional and conceptual issues are still evident, promising developments have occurred in relation to assessment and treatment practices and understanding of the family context of school refusal.


CONCLUSIONS
From a clinical viewpoint, school refusal cases require comprehensive assessment and treatment. Advances have been made in the treatment of school refusal. However, additional controlled studies evaluating interventions for school refusal are needed.
King
N J
NJ
Faculty of Education, Monash University, Victoria, Australia. neville.king@education
Bernstein
G A
GA
D000293:Adolescent; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D013332:Student Dropouts / Q000523:psychology*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents