Surveyed 63 professional psychologists specializing in youth and family practice about recently referred and treated cases of school refusal behavior. Obtained data on clinical prevalence; demographic characteristics; length of absenteeism; severity; etiology; and length, type, and success of treatments used. Results revealed that children…

Results suggest some progress in formulating educational environments that reduce the level of school fearfulness among black children. Other studies should explore the differences in classroom atmosphere that nediate these encouraging results; i.e. patterns of pupil-teacher and pupil-pupil interaction. (Author/AM)

The purpose of this study was to identify the common denominators in the background of adolescent high school students that could account for the presence of school phobia. (Author/RK)

The major objective of the project was to: assess the long-term impact of continuous educational stimulation on achievement of children entering the early education program at age 3 and continuing until age 9. A secondary objective was to: assess the long-term impact of continuous educational stimulation on behavior of children entering the…

A two-stage intervention successfully eliminated a 9-year-old boy's intensive fear in a new school setting. First, the child learned to identify a cue accompanying strong anxiety response; second, he learned to induce a competing cognitive coping response--blocking negative feelings with confidence--reinforcing song lyrics. Author/CMG)

Anxiety-based school refusal occurs in 2% of school-age children. The reasons why they refuse to go school range from mental illness and learning problems to general defiance and a desire for attention. Early identification and multi-faceted assessment and interventions are critical to addressing the problem. This book offers concise, practical…

Compared relative effectiveness of two multicomponent strategies in the treatment of test anxiety. Test-anxious students were assigned to groups. Within-group changes between pre- and post-testing favored multicomponent treatments. Between groups, both desensitization treatment programs demonstrated significant improvement over no-treatment on…

An explanation is offered of how avoiding mathematics in school may be causing many women to lose important educational and career opportunities. Ways in which educators can help are suggested. (Author/LBH)

Describes a research methods course which fosters cooperation between students and gives them a positive experience with course content. Students are encouraged to view the sociologist more like a detective than a laboratory scientist. This reduces anxiety for students who fear the quantitative and empirical perspectives of the sciences.…

Two studies examined age and sex differences in scores on Dunn's School Anxiety Questionnaire and on "worry-emotionality" questionnaire for third through eighth graders. Data support the multidimensional approach to the study of school anxiety. (GO)

This paper focuses on two aspects of the management of early adolescent school phobia: working out an attendance contract with the student and with the school, and the role of the school in facilitating a student's early return to school. (Author/RK)

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)

A case is described in which a school psychologist treated a high school boy of 16 for school phobia, using a behavioral contract and two weeks of daily 30-minute sessions in which mental images were evoked of school situations that had been the cause of severe anxiety. (CTM)

Discusses diagnostic and functional classification, assessment, and treatment approaches for school refusal behavior. Diagnostic classification focuses on separation anxiety disorder, specific phobia, social phobia, depression, and truancy. Functional classification focuses on the maintaining consequences of the behavior, such as avoidance of…