ACCOMMODATION AND TREATMENT OF ANXIOUS YOUTH. Issue 9 (23rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kagan, Elana R.; Peterman, Jeremy S.; Carper, Matthew M.; Kendall, Philip C.
• Is Part Of: Depression and anxiety. Volume 33:Issue 9(2016)
• Page Start: 840
• Page End: 847
• Publication Date: 2016-05-23
• Subjects: parental accommodation -- treatment outcome -- family factors -- cognitive behavioral therapy -- anxiety; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Depression, Mental -- Periodicals; Depression -- Periodicals; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Anxiety Disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8527005
• DOI: 10.1002/da.22520
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1091-4269

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Parental accommodation refers to the ways in which a parent modifies their behavior to avoid or reduce the distress their child experiences. Parents of youth with anxiety disorders have been found to accommodate their child's anxiety in a variety of ways that contribute to the maintenance of the disorder. The current study evaluated the relationship between parental accommodation and the outcome of treatment for youth with anxiety. Methods: Sixty‐two youth (age 6–17) and their parents were evaluated for youth anxiety and parental accommodation before and after treatment. All youth received individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Results: Parental accommodation was significantly reduced from before to after treatment. Reduction in parent‐rated accommodation was significantly associated with the severity of youth's posttreatment anxiety, even when controlling for pretreatment youth anxiety. Level of pretreatment accommodation was significantly associated with treatment response. Conclusions: Findings indicate that parental accommodation is significantly reduced after individual youth CBT, and suggest that accommodation may be an important treatment focus. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.