Research explores association between school absence, exclusion and pupils’ mental health

Poor school attendance impacts a child’s future, not just through their educational achievement but also socially and developmentally. Now researchers say these absences are potential indicators of current or future poor mental health and could be used to target vital assessment and potentially life-changing early intervention.

Pupils with mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. ADHD, autism) or who self-harm are more likely to miss school through absenteeism and exclusion than their classmates.

Professor Anita Thapar from the Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health at Cardiff University worked on this recent study, which highlighted the importance of integrated school-based and healthcare strategies to support young people's engagement with education.

The study was led by Swansea University’s Professor Ann John, who also leads a research workstream at the Wolfson Centre.

Professor John said: “Children with poor mental health, who are neurodiverse or who self-harm often struggle at school. Health and educational professionals, services, and policy makers should be aware that children with poor attendance may be experiencing emotional ill-health whether this is diagnosed in school or into early adulthood.

"Absences and exclusions may provide a useful tool to identify those who require additional support. Early intervention will not only reduce immediate distress and difficulties for the young person but also may also interrupt poor life trajectories and improve outcomes in later life."

The new study saw researchers from Swansea, Cardiff, and Cambridge Universities and NHS Wales, examine the association between attendance (absences and exclusions) and neurodiversity, mental health, and self-harm in a cohort of 437,412 Welsh school pupils aged from seven to 16 between 2009 and 2013.

The paper highlights that children and young people with a neurodevelopmental disorder, mental disorder, or who self-harm diagnosed and recorded before the age of 24 are much more likely to miss school than their peers.

School absenteeism and exclusion rates were higher after the age of 11 in all children but disproportionally more so in those with a recorded disorder. The study also found individuals with more than one recorded disorder were more likely to be absent or excluded and this was exacerbated with each additional disorder.

There are many ways attendance may be impacted by neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health problems and self-harm. From disruptive behaviours resulting in exclusion of somatic symptoms such as stomach pain and headaches leading to authorised absences to symptoms associated with anxiety and depression leading to school refusal, family problems and peer problems such as bullying.

If absence results in social isolation and poorer academic performance, this could go on to exacerbate mental health and attendance issues.

The study also identified important differences among genders. Professor John added: “Within the diagnosed populations, girls with neurodevelopmental disorders, depression and substance misuse were more likely to be absent, and boys were more likely to be excluded."

However, the team said having special educational needs (SEN) status reduced the likelihood of a pupil being absent or excluded, most notably for those with records of neurodevelopmental disorders and bipolar disorder, potentially highlighting the positive impact of recognition, diagnosis, and educational interventions.

Professor John said the study was unique because it linked routinely collected primary and secondary care health data with educational data.

She added: “There is growing interest in school-based prevention and early intervention programmes which focus on improving the school environment and culture for reducing adolescent mental health problems. Other interventions have included psychological interventions focussing primarily on anxiety and depression symptoms.

“This has increased relevance as children return to school following closures and blended learning in response to the pandemic. School-based mental health provision and integration with mental health services have been highlighted as a major strategic priority in the UK.

“Attendance and exclusion data, that is already collected by schools, could provide useful information about where to focus limited resources. School-based mental health prevention strategies may also help build resilience, enabling pupils to develop strategies for managing and improving their mental health and wellbeing as well as to understand when and how to seek additional help.”

The paper, Association of school absence and exclusion with recorded neurodevelopmental disorders, mental disorders or self-harm: a nationwide e-cohort study of children and young people in Wales, is available to view online in the Lancet Psychiatry.

This work was carried out by the Adolescent Mental Health Data Platform, using Secure eResearch Platform (SeRP) TRE technology, based in Population Data Science at Swansea University, funded by MQ and forms part of the ADR Wales programme of work.