Development and Validation of the School in China REfusal EvaluatioN Scale (SCREEN): A Tool to Assess School Refusal in Chinese Adolescents

Abstract

The escalating phenomenon of school refusal (SR) in China has emerged as a significant psychological and educational crisis, with recent surveys revealing a disengagement rate exceeding 70% among students in primary and secondary education. This study introduces the novel School in China REfusal EvaluatioN Scale (SCREEN), specifically designed to assess the multifaceted nature of SR in the Chinese educational context, incorporating culturally relevant socio-psychological variables. Through a robust methodological framework, this research develops and validates the SCREEN, involving the generation and validation of an item pool followed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The reliability of the SCREEN was affirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.778, and its validity confirmed through satisfactory factor loadings across multiple dimensions of school engagement. The study’s findings highlight the prevalence and complexity of SR across various educational stages, emphasizing the necessity for holistic intervention strategies that address educational, familial, and societal contributors to SR. The SCREEN’s effectiveness in identifying specific psychological factors contributing to SR underscores the potential for targeted interventions and educational reforms tailored to the unique needs of Chinese students. This research not only contributes to the academic understanding of SR but also provides a practical tool for early detection and intervention, advocating for an integrated approach involving educators, psychologists, and families to mitigate this educational challenge. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to evaluate intervention efficacy and further refine assessment tools for broader application.