The purpose of this study was to test Manassis' proposal (Child-parent relations: Attachment and anxiety disorders, 255-272, 2001) that attachment patterns (secure, ambivalent, avoidant, and disorganized) may relate to different types of anxiety symptoms, and that behavioral inhibition may moderate these relations. Using a story stem interview to…

A review of the literature regarding school refusal was conducted. It was found that the term School Refusal Behavior has gone through many changes. These changes encompass nomenclature, etiology, and treatment. The names used to describe the behavior of school refusal have ranged from truancy in the 1930s to School Refusal Behavior in the 1990s.…

School refusal behavior can lead to disruptions in both educational attainment and social development. One of the common causes of school refusal behavior is separation anxiety disorder (SAD). Research suggests that children with SAD and school refusal behavior show an increased rate of psychiatric consultation and a decreased likelihood of…

The author suggests ways of lessening a child's fear of separation at the beginning of preschool or first grade. Several books which depict teachers and schools in a positive light are listed. (MT)

Notes that substantial confusion exists regarding comparative diagnostic criteria and treatment implications for school phobia and separation anxiety. Literature survey demonstrates tendency of school personnel to put all students exhibiting these disorders into group of "school refusers." Sees treatment issues handled similarly despite evidence…

Reviews literature on school phobia which reveals predominant view concerning its etiology is separation anxiety theory. Critically analyzes theory on three grounds: methodological problems, lack of generalizability concerning pathological mother-child relationships, and lack of emphasis on external etiological variables. Recommends reexamining…

Explores common clinical childhood fears (separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder) and suggests balancing treatment with input from psychologists, teachers, and parents. (Author/JOW)

School phobia is an irrational fear or anxiety about attending school. Definite distinctions can be made between the school phobic and the truant, both of whom miss school on a regular basis. It appears that the incidence of school phobia is evenly distributed between the sexes and among age levels from 5 through 15 years, and is not significantly…

The importance of prompt treatment of the school phobic child, and the need for good communication among those concerned, are addressed in this article. The manifestation of school phobia is described and intervention methods are reviewed. (Author/MT)

"School phobia" has generally referred to children and adolescents avoidant of school due to overwhelming fearfulness. This paper outlines the historical development of school phobia, including its transition from syndrome to symptom. Given the questionable validity of the construct, recommendations are made regarding future classification,…

Cognitive behavioral psychology is a new theoretical orientation and when applied in treatment it is known as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Theoretically CBT seeks primarily to change cognitions to alter behaviors and to modify cognitions to affect emotions. In general CBT is considered to be an information processing psychology because it…

Truancy in French technical secondary schools is a source of considerable concern which has given rise to the present study. However, issues associated with truancy seldom take into account psychological criteria, as it tends to give rise to an immediate institutional reaction. However, truancy may not be solely the reflection of a lack of…

This paper describes the behavioral treatment of acute onset school refusal in a 5-year old girl with Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD). A functional classification was used to select a treatment approach that involved the parent and teacher using shaping, positive reinforcement and extinction. Results showed that by the end of the fifth week of…

"School refuser" is an always-already negative child identity. The term is used to categorize children or adolescents who appear to dislike and fear school (or aspects of school) and persistently refuse to attend or attend very unwillingly. Given that school attendance is generally considered a necessary social good, regular and anxious…

Notes that fear has the potential to interfere with the young child's quality of life, and offers some understanding of the nature and normal developmental course of early childhood fears. Discusses reasons for fearful behavior and different temperament types. Offers suggestions on how adults can help children cope with fear and how teachers can…