boarding school syndrome

noun

A set of lasting psychological problems, such as defensiveness and failed interpersonal attachments, that may result from being sent away to boarding school at an early age.

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Meanings

nounboarding school syndrome (uncountable)
  1. uncountableA set of lasting psychological problems, such as defensiveness and failed interpersonal attachments, that may result from being sent away to boarding school at an early age.

Origin

Coined by psychotherapist Joy Schaverien in 2011.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

boarding school syndrome. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/boarding%20school%20syndrome

MLA

“boarding school syndrome.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/boarding%20school%20syndrome. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “boarding school syndrome,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/boarding%20school%20syndrome.

Source: boarding school syndrome on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.