Dismissal from school triggers long-term psychiatric problems

Washington D.C. [U.S.A.], August 30 (ANI): Attention parents! Help your teenager.

A study has recently found that dismissal from school for a day or two may lead to long-term psychiatric problems and psychological distress.

According to researchers, the effect of excluding a child from school on their education and progress is often long term and their mental health may also deteriorate.

Professor Tamsin Ford from the University of Exeter's medical school warned that the excluded children can develop a range of mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety as well as behavioural disturbance.

Ford said that identifying children who struggle in class could, if coupled with tailored support, prevent exclusion and improve their success at school, while exclusion might precipitate future mental disorder.

By avoiding exclusion and finding other solutions to the poor behaviour, schools can help children's mental health in the future as well as their education.

Exclusion from school is common among boys, secondary school pupils, and those living in socio-economically deprived circumstances.

The team analysed over 5000 school-aged children, their parents and their teachers.

They found that children with learning difficulties and mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, ADHD and autism spectrum conditions were more likely to be excluded from the classroom.

The research team found more children with mental disorders among those who had been excluded from school, when they followed up on their progress, than those who had not.

The researchers concluded that exclusion predicted increased levels of psychological distress three years later.

Claire Parker stated, "Although an exclusion from school may only last for a day or two, the impact and repercussions for the child and parents are much wider. Exclusion often marks a turning point during an ongoing difficult time for the child, parent and those trying to support the child in school."

The research appeared in the Psychological Medicine journal. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI