Abstract
Objective: We developed and tested a self-help program with minimal therapist involvement for parents of anxious children. Method: The program focused on transfer of control from therapist to parents of children with moderate anxiety, and consisted of two therapist-led workshops, a Facebook group, and Cool Kids manuals for parents and children. The sample consisted of 20 families, and 17 completed treatment. Results: After treatment, intent-to-treat analyses indicated that 65% of the children were free of all anxiety disorders. The corresponding figure for completers was 76.5%. Conclusion: Our results suggest that parent-based self-help groups focusing on transfer of control may be a cost-effective way of providing treatment to children with moderate anxiety.
Highlights
MethodsThe program focused on transfer of control from therapist to parents of children with moderate anxiety, and consisted of two therapist-led workshops, a Facebook group, and Cool Kids manuals for parents and children
After treatment, intent-to-treat analyses indicated that 65% of the children were free of all anxiety disorders
Parent-based self-help groups may be promising for moderate levels of child anxiety
Summary
The program focused on transfer of control from therapist to parents of children with moderate anxiety, and consisted of two therapist-led workshops, a Facebook group, and Cool Kids manuals for parents and children. The sample consisted of 20 families, and 17 completed treatment. Parents self-referred their child for treatment in a university setting. Families participated in pre- and post-treatment assessment. Inclusion criteria were 1) age of child: 7-13 years, 2) the child had a primary diagnosis of generalized or separation anxiety disorder, specific or social phobia, 3) the primary anxiety disorder was moderate (Clinical severity rating (CSR): 4-7) rated by parent, child and clinician, 4) the child had no intellectual disabilities, 5) families had not received prior treatment for their child’s anxiety disorder, and 6) one parent was a native speaker of Danish. At intake 20 families were enrolled, 1 declined participation, and 2 dropped out, 17 families completed treatment
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