Addressing school refusal: intervention proposals for students, parents and educators

Promoting well-being in schools is essential for addressing students’ emotional, social, and academic needs and preventing school refusal (SR), defined as difficulty or active refusal to attend classes. From an ecological perspective, SR develops from the interaction between individual factors, such as emotional regulation, and contextual factors, including family dynamics and the school climate. Therefore, effective interventions must address both individual and contextual factors. The e-learning training “Help Your Student/Child Succeed at School” is a program designed to raise awareness among educators and parents about SR and provide practical tools to practice emotional and communication skills. In line with this program, the training “The Courage to Be There: Strategies for When School Feels Too Much” is a psychoeducational intervention for students focused on strengthening the individual skills that influence school attendance, such as emotional awareness and self-efficacy, and on developing functional communication skills. Through interactive activities and self-reflection exercises, students are guided to develop effective strategies for coping with school situations perceived as stressful. In addition to the training for educators and parents, the program for students would foster a more supportive and aware school environment capable of reducing the risk factors associated with SR and promoting students’ overall well-being.