The use of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in addressing family accommodation (FA) for child anxiety

Abstract

Abstract Many parents of children with anxiety tend to engage in varying levels of family accommodation (FA) in order to alleviate anxiety symptoms. This can exacerbate anxiety symptoms and have adverse effects for psychological treatments. A small number of general and specific interventions have been developed for FA but treatment research is at a nascent stage. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) may be an effective treatment for FA. This article reviews the potential advantages and uses of ACT and how ACT’s six core processes can help target particular features of FA. The theoretical support for ACT is reviewed relevant to FA. The article concludes by conjecturing how ACT may be a useful and adaptive treatment in targeting FA. Key learning aims (1) To understand how FA impacts on child anxiety. (2) To help provide an overview of how ACT may be a relevant treatment in addressing FA. (3) To look at how each of the six core processes may address specific components of FA.