Learning to Cope: A CBT Evaluation Exploring Self-Reported Changes in Coping with Anxiety Among School Children Aged 5–7 Years. (16th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruocco, Sylvia; Freeman, Nerelie C.; McLean, Louise A.
• Is Part Of: Educational and developmental psychologist. Volume 35:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 87
• Publication Date: 2018-10-16
• Subjects: children, -- coping strategies, -- anxiety, -- early intervention, -- school, -- cognitive behavioural therapy; School psychology -- Australia -- Periodicals; School psychology -- Periodicals; Educational psychology -- Australia -- Periodicals; Educational psychology -- Periodicals; Developmental psychology -- Australia -- Periodicals; Developmental psychology -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 370.150994
• DOI: 10.1017/edp.2018.8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-0776

Abstract

Abstract : This study examined the effects of a school-based cognitive-behavioural group intervention for anxiety in young children, Get Lost Mr Scary, on child self-reported anxiety and coping skills. Participants included 65 children ( M age = 6.50 years, SD age = 0.75) drawn from 13 public primary schools located in Western Sydney, Australia. The children participated in seven weekly 1-hour Get Lost Mr Scary sessions, and their parents attended three information sessions. The pictorial semistructured Child Anxiety and Coping Interview (CACI) was used to elicit the children's self-report of their anxiety symptoms, emotions, coping strategies, and coping efficacy before and after the 7-week intervention. Although children rated their maladaptive coping strategies as helpful, the postintervention results indicated a significant decrease in the use of maladaptive strategies such as behavioural avoidance and an increase in adaptive cognitive strategies, particularly cognitive restructuring. Consistent with parent and teacher reports, child self-reports indicated a significant reduction in anxiety and negative emotional distress. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed.