Understanding The Common Causes Of School Refusal In Teens

Adolescence is a period marked by hormonal changes, increasing academic demands, and social challenges. In recent years, there has been a rise in teens engaging in school refusal, also known as school avoidance. The underlying reasons for school refusal vary across teens and some of the reasons are discussed below.

Mental Health Issues

A leading factor in school refusal is mental health concerns including anxiety, panic, or depression. When a teen is struggling with their mental health, the idea of attending school feels like a daunting and overwhelming task. Teens with anxiety or mood disorders tend to avoid stressful stimuli (i.e., exams, judgmental peers, difficult teachers) in order to obtain relief from their negative emotions. The longer a teen stays away from school, the harder it is to return.

Academic Pressure

Pursuing straight A’s and stacking extra-curriculars to prepare for college applications has created a toxic environment for teens. Teens often face immense pressure to perform well on exams and meet high expectations set by themselves, their parents, and their school. Most teens have a habit of engaging in upward social comparison and compare themselves to peers who seem to be excelling and more successful than them. School refusal may stem from feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or incapable of meeting high standards and may lead teens to avoid school altogether.

Learning Related Problems

Teens with learning disabilities or disabilities that impact attention and learning (e.g., ADHD, autism, etc.)  often struggle in traditional school settings. Perhaps their needs are not sufficiently identified or addressed by the school system in the form of a Section 504 Plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP). Under these circumstances, they may avoid school to escape the frustration and embarrassment of performing below their peers.

Digital Distractions

The abundance of digital distractions and indulgences causes teens to become absorbed in social media, gaming, and other online activities. These constant distractors contribute to procrastination and time management issues that exacerbate stress and anxiety and make it tempting to skip school, especially in light of mental health issues, academic pressure, or learning problems.

Gaining a better understanding of the possible reason(s) your teen is avoiding school will help your family more efficiently target the underlying issues. Many families find it helpful to work with the school and a mental health professional to get their teen back on track. Contact me if you would like to learn more about teen therapy to address school refusal.