School pressures feature in one in five paediatric consultations

Around one in five consultations at paediatric practices in Switzerland now involves school-related problems, according to a new study reported by SRF. The survey found that nearly nine out of 10 paediatricians believe such cases have increased during their careers.

The study, conducted by gfs.bern for the Mercator Switzerland Foundation, surveyed 469 paediatricians across the country. School-related pressures played an important role in about one in five consultations.

Children regularly visit the practice of Marc Sidler in the Basel region with stomach aches, sleep problems or difficulty concentrating. The cause is not always physical. Sidler, president of the paediatricians association Kinderärzte Schweiz, said conversations often reveal that the symptoms are linked to problems at school.

He said dealing with children and adolescents affected by school problems had become part of paediatricians daily work. The cases could involve performance and selection pressure, bullying, social exclusion, excessive or insufficient demands, or strained relationships with teachers. Parents are also increasingly requesting assessments and diagnoses, the study found.

Sidler said he was particularly concerned about children and adolescents who stay away from school for extended periods. What begins with a few days of absence can suddenly become several weeks, he said.

Problems become more serious with age

The type of strain also changes with age. In kindergarten, paediatricians more often see digestive problems, unusual social behaviour and concentration difficulties. At secondary school level, they report significantly more school absenteeism, depressive moods, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts.

While younger children often express distress through physical symptoms, psychological problems become more common among adolescents.

The relationship between teachers and children plays a central role, according to Sidler. It can contribute to school problems, but a good relationship can also protect children from them. Children need adults who pay attention, listen and take them seriously. Where this succeeds, school can provide stability.

The Swiss teachers federation LCH warned against drawing conclusions too quickly. Children and adolescents are generally exposed to a wide range of pressures today, it said, and not all psychological or physical problems originate at school.

Sidler said school itself does not make children ill. What matters is whether they receive support and feel understood in their surroundings. Seemingly everyday complaints can sometimes point to a much greater burden.