A Reading on School Phobia

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in MCN 207 – RLE

School Nursing Rotation

Submitted to:

Mylahrose Acaba, RN, MAN

Submitted by:

Paolo Fredrick C. Castillo, St.N.

BSN-2O – Group 1

October 13, 2022

Assessment of School Phobia Among Elementary Students in Nineveh
Governorate

Citation:

Ali, T., Hameed, R. (2020). Assessment of School Phobia Among Elementary Students
in Nineveh Governorate. Retrieved October 12, 2022 from
https://www.mosuljournals.com/article_166982_829940a5fe8baccc8a22e7bd108c0319.
pdf

Article Summary:

School phobia is an overwhelming fear of school and is one of the most common
symptoms among elementary students. This affects their psychological, social, and
scientific formation. The expression of fear coming into a new environment is
manifested in a set of psychological and physical symptoms.

During September 1, 2019 to August 10, 2020, the study was carried out to
assess school phobia among elementary school students in Nineveh Governorate. 8-6
elementary pupils were randomly selected by a stratified method. The data were
gathered through a series of questionnaires. It was composed of two parts which were
the demographic data and reasons or causes behind the study’s phenomena. The
research’s reliability and validity were tested as well through applying to a separate
sample and by asking the opinion of experts, respectively. In order to address the
causes of the fear from school, there was a collection of data through personal interview
conducted to each pupil. Either the researcher and/ or a team of teachers carried out
the interview.

The study found that there is a positive relationship between fear of school and
fear from colleagues. They also found that the high rate of absenteeism were among
females. The study also recommends to build more schools in the governorate
(because the place where the study is conducted is an area controlled by a governor,
especially in Arab countries), which will establish an educational and psychological
counseling program to deal with refusal, fear, and truancy. Furthermore, the study also
recommends that the school administration and personnel should build a proper school
atmosphere to adhere to dealing with students equally. It aims to care for them, provide
a follow up on the current academic achievement/ level, and school surrounding control
to promote the spirit of cooperation among students.

Reaction:

Among the big consequential emotional problems that pupils face is school
attendance. This has adverse short and long term consequences and is mostly detected
as a result of changing in the normal routine life. This and the other phenomena relating
to the findings of the researchers answered a few questions that came to mind when I
heard the phrase “school phobia”.

This study gave me new knowledge on the topic school phobia and the
phenomena surrounding it. We need to look out for these factors and take them into
consideration when dealing with patients belonging to this category because the next
clinical rotation involves coming in contact with preschoolers and school-age students.
The researchers did a great job at conducting the study, obtaining the necessary data,
and relating it to the current body of knowledge.

I can personally relate to the findings of the study. When I was a child, I was
scared of school at one point. I thought that if I didn’t attend school, I wouldn’t have to
worry about dealing with my classmates, the lesson, teachers, and the overall
experience of school. However, later on I have come to realize that school is important
and is not just for compliance because through going to school we are able to learn the
necessary life lessons that would help us become competent citizens of our country.

Moreover, after reading the study, It has cleared up a large question that has
been lingering on my mind. I wanted a research-supported reason as to why school
phobia is a phenomenon between students at a young age. Despite learning a lot from
the study, I can acknowledge that I still have a lot to learn and I still need to prepare for
our upcoming clinical exposure.
 The study’s value to the nursing profession will be important because there will
come a time where nurses will come across students or individuals with school phobia.
The unexpected should be expected if you are a nurse. Until then, we should gather the
sufficient knowledge we need in order to give an overall great experience for out
patients. The study can be used by future researchers who want to look more into fear,
refusal, and truancy; and how it relates to the way schools should handle these issues.