Working with parents to treat anxiety-disordered children: A proof of concept RCT evaluating Fear-less Triple P. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cobham, Vanessa E.; Filus, Ania; Sanders, Matthew R.
• Is Part Of: Behaviour research and therapy. Volume 95(2017)
• Page Start: 128
• Page End: 138
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Child anxiety -- Parenting -- RCT; Cognitive therapy -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2017.06.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-7967

Abstract

Abstract: Little is known about the efficacy of parent-only interventions and the maintenance of gains over time with anxiety-disordered children and adolescents. The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a 6-session parent-focused intervention (Fear-less Triple P) in reducing children's anxiety symptomatology. The parents of 61 anxiety-disordered children (7–14 years) were randomly assigned to either the 6-session parent-only group CBT intervention or a wait-list control (WL) group. Diagnostic and questionnaire measures were administered at post-treatment; as well as 3-, 6- and 12 months following the completion of treatment. Families in the WL group were re-assessed after 6 weeks (the duration of the active intervention) and were then offered the intervention. The parent-only intervention produced superior outcomes for children on diagnostic and questionnaire measures. The percentages of children free of any anxiety diagnosis following the intervention were 38.7% (post-treatment); 58.6% (3-mth); 69.2% (6-mth); and 84% (12-mth). At the post-treatment assessment point, 3.4% of children in the WL group were free of any anxiety diagnosis. Mother and child questionnaire measures demonstrated gains from pre to post-treatment that were maintained over time. This proof of concept study suggests that the brief, parent-only intervention evaluated is an efficacious treatment approach for child anxiety disorders. A parent-only, group CBT intervention such as the one described here offers a cost-effective, low intensity alternative to traditional child-focused interventions. Highlights: Fewer than 1 in 5 anxiety-disordered children receive any kind of intervention. Parent-focused interventions may be more accessible. Fear-less Triple P is a brief intervention for parents of anxious children. The parent-only intervention was efficacious in reducing child anxiety up to 1 year post-treatment. This parent-only group CBT intervention has significant potential in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.