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Martin Bergström. Photo: Patrik Hekkala

Martin Bergström

Senior lecturer | Associate Professor | PhD in Social Work

Martin Bergström. Photo: Patrik Hekkala

Outcome of a multi-modal CBT-based treatment program for chronic school refusal

Author

  • Johan Strömbeck
  • Robert Palmér
  • Ia Sundberg
  • Jonas Fäldt
  • Martin Karlberg
  • Martin Bergström

Summary, in English

School refusal (SR) can have several negative consequences, but effective treatments are available. When chronic, school absence requires comprehensive treatment. This study evaluates an intervention for SR based on a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model, Hemmasittarprogrammet (HSP). Attendance, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and emotional and behavioral symptoms were measured at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up. The participants (n = 84; 69% male) were SR students between 10 and 17 years old and their parents. School attendance increased after treatment and at follow-up. The proportion of students totally absent from school decreased and the number of students with an acceptable level of school attendance increased. Levels of anxiety and depression were lower both post-treatment and at follow-up for the youths and their parents. HSP, a promising treatment program for school refusal, builds on the literature of CBT-based programs, which has been shown to be effective for SR treatment. However, more research about the effectiveness of the program is needed. Future studies should have a stronger research design, include a measure of fidelity, and be evaluated independent of the founders of the program under investigation.

Department/s

  • School of Social Work

Publishing year

2021

Language

English

Publication/Series

Global Pediatric Health

Volume

8

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Topic

  • Social Work

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 2333-794X