Study of School Refusal Behaviour and Its Relationship to Parenting Practices in Ibadan, Oyo State

School refusal behaviour represents a significant challenge for families and educational systems, and understanding its relationship to specific parenting practices in the Nigerian context informs both preventive and remedial counselling approaches. This study investigated school refusal behaviour and its association with parenting practices among primary school children aged 7 to 12 in Ibadan South West Local Government Area, Oyo State. A descriptive correlational survey was conducted among 200 parent-child pairs drawn from six primary schools through stratified random sampling. School refusal was assessed using the School Refusal Assessment Scale-Revised parent version, and parenting practices were measured using the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire. Pearson correlation and logistic regression were employed. Results showed that clinically significant school refusal behaviour was present in 18.5 percent of the sample. Inconsistent parenting discipline (OR 3.6, p < 0.001), overprotective parenting (OR 2.9, p < 0.001), and poor monitoring (OR 2.4, p < 0.01) were significant predictors of school refusal. Anxiety-based school refusal was more common among girls, while tangible reward-seeking refusal was more prevalent among boys. Only 31 percent of school refusal cases had been identified and referred for professional support. The study recommends school-based counselling assessment protocols for persistent absence, parent guidance sessions integrated into school counsellor programming, and multi-agency collaboration between schools, families, and health services in Oyo State. Keywords: school refusal, parenting practices, primary school children, Oyo State, school counselling