Abstract
The efficacy of the Cool Kids program has been consistently demonstrated both within Australia and internationally, but limited data are available on the use of Cool Kids as a universal program. The purpose of the study is to evaluate Cool Kids as a universal program for preventing childhood anxiety in the school context. There were 73 Italian children (35 boys and 36 girls, ages 10–13 years) attending the last year of primary school and the first year of middle school who participated in an active intervention based on a school adaptation of the Cool Kids protocol. Results of t-test analyses highlighted a downward trend of anxiety symptoms, especially in total anxiety, somatic anxiety, generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety and school phobia at post-treatment assessed by children. Even the score of depression symptoms, measured as a second outcome measure, decreased after the treatment. This study contributes to the evidence base for the Cool Kids program as a universal program for preventing childhood anxiety in the school context. Although these preliminary results show some promise, their replication in future research is necessary given current study limitations.
Highlights
There were significant reductions over time in separation anxiety assessed by the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) and anxiety/depression symptoms, anxiety problems, affective problems and internalizing problems measured by Child Behavior Checklist/6-18 (CBCL)
The present study describes a pilot of a school-based preventive intervention for anxiety based on the Cool Kids program
Replication with a larger and more diverse sample will be necessary to clarify the utility of the intervention, Cool Kids appears to show promise as an efficacious preventive intervention for preadolescent children with anxiety symptoms
Summary
Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychological disorders in children and adolescents, with current prevalence rates ranging from 4% to 25% [1,2,3]. Anxiety symptoms begin early in life and are often chronic and persistent [4]. Anxiety disorders in childhood are associated with social, emotional and academic impairment [5,6,7,8], as well as an increased risk for developing other disorders, such as additional anxiety disorders, depression, conduct disorder or substance abuse later in life [9,10,11,12,13,14]. Early recognition and treatment are desirable [15,16,17], especially to prevent the potential for lifelong impact
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