One session treatment for specific phobias in children: Comorbid anxiety disorders and treatment outcome. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ryan, Sarah M.; Strege, Marlene V.; Oar, Ella L.; Ollendick, Thomas H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry. Volume 54(2017)
• Page Start: 128
• Page End: 134
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Specific phobias -- Generalized anxiety disorder -- Social anxiety disorder -- Children and adolescents -- One-session treatment; Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2016.07.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-7916

Abstract

Abstract: Background and objectives: One-Session Treatment (OST) for specific phobias has been shown to be effective in reducing phobia severity; however, the effect of different types of co-occurring anxiety disorders on OST outcomes is unknown. The present study examined (1) the effects of co-occurring generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), or another non-targeted specific phobia (OSP) on the efficacy of OST for specific phobias, and (2) the effects of OST on these co-occurring disorders following treatment. Methods: Three groups of 18 youth (7–15 years) with a specific phobia and comorbid GAD, SAD, or OSP were matched on age, gender, and phobia type. Outcome measures included diagnostic status and severity, and clinician rated improvement. Results: All groups demonstrated an improvement in their specific phobia following treatment. Treatment was equally effective regardless of co-occurring anxiety disorder. In addition, comorbid anxiety disorders improved following OST; however, this effect was not equal across groups. The SAD group showed poorer improvement in their comorbid disorder than the GAD group post-treatment. However, the SAD group continued to improve and this differential effect was not evident six-months following treatment. Limitations: The current study sample was small, with insufficient power to detect small and medium effect sizes. Further, the sample only included a portion of individuals with primary GAD or SAD, which may have attenuated the findings. Conclusions: The current study demonstrated that co-occurring anxiety disorders did not interfere with phobia treatment. OST, despite targeting a single specific phobia type, significantly reduced comorbid symptomatology across multiple anxiety disorders. Highlights: The effects of co-occurring anxiety disorders on treatment of phobias is examined. Comorbid generalized and social anxiety do not limit reduction in phobia severity. Severity of the comorbid anxiety disorders reduced following one-session treatment. Social anxiety improved less than generalized anxiety at post-treatment.