GLOBAL TRENDS AND THEMATIC SHIFTS IN SCHOOL REFUSAL INTERVENTIONS: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS FROM 1967 – 2025

Abstract

This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 436 Scopus-indexed articles on school refusal interventions published between 1967 and 2025. Results indicate rapid growth in this field since 2016, with research primarily concentrated in medicine and psychology, supplemented by social sciences. Regionally, North America, Europe, and Australia form the core distribution. Keyword analysis identified six thematic clusters, with “school refusal,” “anxiety,” and “adolescents” serving as core hubs, while “intervention” acted as a cross-domain connector. Research trends have shifted from “school phobia” toward multidimensional and systemic explorations, though gaps remain in qualitative studies, prevention strategies, and long-term adaptation. This study presents the first comprehensive knowledge map of school refusal interventions, establishing an evidence foundation for future interdisciplinary, context-sensitive, and methodologically diverse research and policy innovation.