Research Protocol: Development, implementation and evaluation of a cognitive behavioural therapy-based intervention programme for the management of anxiety symptoms in South African children with visual impairments.

Lisa Visagie,Wendy K Silverman,Helene Loxton

doi:10.4102/ajod.v4i1.160

Lisa Visagie, Wendy K Silverman + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v4i1.160

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundChildhood anxiety presents a serious mental health problem, and it is one of the most common forms of psychological distress reported by youth worldwide. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms amongst South African youth is reported to be significantly higher than in other parts of the world. These high prevalence rates become even more significant when viewed in terms of children with visual impairments, as it is suggested that children with physical disabilities may be more prone, than their non-disabled peers, for the development of psychological difficulties.ObjectivesThe main aim of this study is to develop, implement and evaluate a specifically tailored anxiety intervention programme for use with South African children with visual impairments.MethodA specifically tailored cognitive-behavioural therapy-based anxiety intervention, for 9–13 year old South African children with visual impairments, will be evaluated in two special schools. The study will employ a randomised wait-list control group design with pre- post- and follow-up intervention measures, with two groups each receiving a 10 session anxiety intervention programme. The main outcome measure relates to the participants’ symptoms of anxiety as indicated on the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale.ConclusionIf the anxiety intervention programme is found to be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, this universal intervention will lay down the foundation upon which future contextually sensitive (South African) anxiety intervention programmes can be built.

Highlights

A substantial body of literature indicating that childhood anxiety presents a serious mental health problem has been amassed (Barrett & Turner 2001)
The literature indicates that anxiety is one of the most common forms of psychological distress reported by youth (Barrett & Sonderegger 2005; Dadds et al 1997)
This study reported promising results and its outcomes were in line with the government’s white paper on the transformation of the South African health care system, as the study promoted prevention as an important strategy for the enhancement of the mental and physical health of the nation (DOH 1997)

Summary

Introduction

A substantial body of literature indicating that childhood anxiety presents a serious mental health problem has been amassed (Barrett & Turner 2001). If left untreated, severe symptoms of anxiety can take on a chronic and unremitting course (Barrett & Turner 2004; Cole et al 1998; Weems & Silverman 2013), and many adults who are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder can trace the onset of symptoms back to their childhood (Rapee & Barlow 1993). The prevalence of anxiety symptoms amongst South African youth is reported to be significantly higher than in other parts of the world These high prevalence rates become even more significant when viewed in terms of children with visual impairments, as it is suggested that children with physical disabilities may be more prone, than their non-disabled peers, for the development of psychological difficulties

Objectives

Findings

Methods

Conclusion