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Record no:

1 of 1

Author:

ORPINAS Pamela;

Title:

Understanding excessive school absenteeism as school refusal behavior.

Reference:

Children and Schools, 31(2), April 2009, pp.87-95.

ISSN paper:

0162-7961

ISSN online:

1545-682X

Abstract:

This study examined behavioural reinforcement profiles of school refusal behaviour: negative reinforcement (avoidance) and positive reinforcement (gaining parental attention or receiving tangible benefits from not attending school). School social workers obtained information on school refusal behaviour for 99 upper-elementary and middle school students from a suburban Atlanta district referred for attendance problems. Three profiles were identified: 17.2 percent missed school to avoid fear- or anxiety-producing situations, escape from adverse social or evaluative situations, or gain positive tangible rewards (multiple profile); 60.6 percent missed school to gain parental attention or receive tangible rewards (positive reinforcement); and 22.2 percent had no profile. All three groups significantly differed in mean scores for behavioural difficulties, with children in the multiple profile group having the highest level of behavioural problems and children in the no profile group having the lowest. Children in the multiple profile group had higher mean scores on frequency of victimization and total number of traumatic or stressful events than did those in the other groups. Although more studies are needed, these findings suggest that school refusal behaviour assessments may serve as a tool to better understand the phenomena of school attendance problems.

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Format:

article;

Topics:

anxiety; behaviour problems; school attendance; school children; stress; truancy;

Content Type:

research;

Country/Region:

United States;

Record ID:

www.scie-socialcareonline.org.uk/profile.asp?guid=5f79fee4-6852-491d-b454-fa57cc20bebb