Psychological effects of boarding students in schools far away from home – a qualitative study of a sample of students referred to a psychiatry clinic from Central Sri Lanka

BackgroundThe education system in Sri Lanka drives parents to seek popular schools in cities for their children, some of who are being boarded far away from their homes (1). Living away from home at a young age can cause grief and even depression. Children boarded at an early age may present with a cluster of symptoms later in life known as “Boarding School Syndrome” (BSS) (2). AimsThe aims of this study were to explore the psychological effects of being boarded in schools far away from home, in a sample of students referred to the psychiatry unit of Base Hospital Diyatalawa. MethodsThis was a qualitative study. Students who had been boarded in schools in four towns, who were referred to the psychiatry unit, and their parents, were interviewed using a semi-structured interview. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematic analysis was done. ResultsSeven students were interviewed, aged between 11- 18 yrs with a mean age of 13.4 yrs. Several main themes were identified from the analysis; grief at leaving home, difficulty in transitioning to the new school environment, worry about effect on scholastic performance after boarding, crisis situations and cries for help, and the experience of emotional abuse. Several students also had features of depression. ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggest that separation from parents in childhood significantly increases the risk of negative psychological outcomes including depressive symptoms. This is in keeping with findings from similar previous studies. Psychiatrists should be aware of the possible negative impact of being separated from parents and boarded away from home, when assessing children and adolescents.