School refusal: categorical diagnoses, functional analysis and treatment planning
Abstract
Abstract School refusal is a complex and challenging problem for school personnel and mental health professionals. However, school refusal behaviour can be successfully treated provided there has been a sound assessment. We outline an hypothesis‐testing, multi‐informant assessment approach that incorporates diagnostic interviewing, functional analysis assessment, self‐report measures, parent/teacher checklists and review of school attendance records. Further, it is shown how assessment information facilitates individual treatment planning for the school‐refusing child and family. We also discuss the issue of graduated versus rapid school return arrangements. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Anxiety- and mood-based categories are sometimes clustered in some youth with school attendance problems, as are oppositional defiant and conduct problems.
“Anxiety- and mood-based categories are sometimes clustered in some youth with school attendance problems, as are oppositional defiant and conduct problems (King et al., 2001).”
From Reconciling Contemporary Approaches to School Attendance and School Absenteeism: Toward Promotion and Nimble Response, Global Policy Review and Implementation, and Future Adaptability (Part 1) (2019) · cites this paper as King et al., 2001
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- Authors
- King, N. J., Heyne, D., Tonge, B., Gullone, E., & Ollendick, T. H.
- Affiliations
- Monash University (AU)
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Virginia Tech (US)
- Corresponding author
- King, Neville J.
- Venue
- Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2001-09
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 352-360
- ISSN
- 1063-3995 (ISSN-L)
- 1099-0879
- OpenAlex
- W2026121436
- Cited by
- 25
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 2.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Youth Substance Use and School Attendance
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
- Keywords
- school refusal, functional analysis, treatment planning, multi-informant assessment, diagnostic interviewing, school attendance
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