Chapter 5 Social Development and Mental Health in Homeschooled Children
How Do Homeschooled Children Perform Socially?
This is one of the first questions that comes to mind for many people when they hear about homeschooling. Researchers have conducted various studies on this topic, yet several recurring issues remain:
- Lack of representative samples: Most participants in these studies are volunteers—families who are often highly engaged and proactive in their children’s education.
- Self-reported results: Answers to survey questions often rely on self-assessment by parents and children, rather than objective or neutral measurements.
- Lack of control over educational background: Studies often don’t account for whether the child had spent some time in traditional schools or regularly participated in co-ops and group learning environments.
One relatively balanced study came from the 2011 Cardus Education Survey, which randomly sampled adults aged 24–39 who had been homeschooled in religious households. It found that:
- These adults reported higher levels of feeling "directionless in life" and "helpless when facing problems" compared to peers from traditional schools.
- At the same time, they were more likely to feel prepared for close, intimate relationships.
(Personal note: I find this fascinating. It may be that individuals who report feeling directionless or helpless are actually more aware of these issues, while those who didn’t report them may not necessarily be doing better. The same applies to those who believe they are more prepared for intimate relationships—those with deep relational needs may actually be more nurturing in practice. This is not a defense of homeschooling, just a logical observation.)
Another important clarification is the definition of "socialization." It's not merely about exchanging pleasantries or surface-level interaction. True socialization refers to the broader developmental process in which children learn to navigate social norms, build emotional intelligence, and develop “social fluency.” Much like reading fluency, social fluency enables children to negotiate relationships, maintain meaningful connections, and collaborate effectively across various social contexts.
As a parent, I believe it’s beneficial to pay close attention to our children's internal perspectives on social interaction. Regularly discussing relational issues, and providing diverse social experiences, is always helpful. And if, like me, you struggle in these areas yourself, it’s okay. Grow alongside your child—share your emotional journey and learn together.
🧠 How Is the Mental Health of Homeschooled Children?
Social fluency is deeply intertwined with emotional well-being and mental health. Several researchers have already attempted to study this area.
In an article published in the International Social Science Review, scholars Cynthia K. Drenovsky and Isaiah Cohen surveyed 180 college students:
- 35 had attended traditional schools for all of K–12.
- 150 had been homeschooled for at least one year.
The study examined students’ levels of campus engagement and self-perceptions, including indicators like depression. The results showed:
- Homeschooled students expressed greater satisfaction with their education.
- They were more actively engaged in campus life and performed better academically.
- They reported a lower rate of depressive tendencies than their traditionally schooled peers.
Educational psychologist Gina Riley, in her paper “Differences in Competence, Autonomy, and Relatedness between Home Educated and Traditionally Educated Young Adults,” explored the effects of homeschooling from a different angle.
She was interested in factors that promote, rather than hinder, internal motivation and identified three key psychological needs:
- Competence – the need to solve problems or master concepts.
- Autonomy – the need to feel ownership and control over one’s choices.
- Relatedness – the need for connection with others in the learning environment.
Her findings showed that:
- Homeschooled young adults were more satisfied with their sense of competence and autonomy.
- There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of relatedness.
📚 Main Resources:
- “What the Research Says on Socialization”
Coalition for Responsible Home Education
https://responsiblehomeschooling.org/research/summaries/homeschooling-socialization/ - International Social Science Review
https://www.jstor.org/stable/41887517 - Gina Riley’s Study on Motivation and Well-being
https://www.jstor.org/stable/intesociscierevi.90.2.02
