Problems at school "are linked to moving too often"

Children who frequently change schools run a higher risk than others of developing behavioural health problems, a US study suggests.

The Cincinnati Children's Hospital found this was the case, regardless of race, income, the mother's education level or any other factor measured.

Dr Mona Mansour, who led the study, said: "Transitions can be so disruptive to children that parents need to weigh the potential academic benefit they may get against the academic, social and emotional impact of making the decision."

'Clear link'

The study involved 3,285 children between the ages of five and 14.

Pupils were defined as "school mobile" if they had attended two or more schools by the age of nine or three or more by 14.

Mothers were asked if they agreed or disagreed with comments on their children's behaviour, such as "he/she is impulsive" or "he/she has trouble getting on with other children".

Researchers translated the answers into scores.

Dr Mansour said: "While the nature of the data does not allow us to say school mobility causes behavioural problems, the two are clearly linked and have implications for both healthcare workers and educators."

Parents who moved their children from one school to another for academic reasons often did not consider the possible detrimental impact of doing so, the study found.

Dr Mansour added: "Policies and programmes enacted to reduce school mobility, or help ease the transition to a new school, may have a positive impact on behavioural health problems."