ICOPE With COVID-19: A Brief Telemental Health Intervention for Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Issue 2 (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zepeda, Michelle S.; Deighton, Stephanie; Markova, Veronika; Madsen, Joshua W.; Racine, Nicole
• Is Part Of: Cognitive and behavioral practice. Volume 30:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 208
• Page End: 217
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- child -- adolescent -- telemental health -- anxiety -- cognitive-behavior therapy; Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; Cognitive therapy -- Periodicals; Behavior Therapy -- Periodicals; Cognitive Therapy -- Periodicals; 616.8914205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2021.10.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-7229

Abstract

Highlights: A brief telemental health intervention (iCOPE with COVID-19) was developed for youth. The intervention was delivered at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Child and adolescent anxiety decreased post-intervention compared to pre-intervention. Results suggest acceptance of iCOPE with COVID-19 with children and adolescents. Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted extensive disruptions to the daily lives of children and adolescents worldwide, which has been associated with an increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms in youth. However, due to public health measures, in-person psychosocial care was initially reduced, causing barriers to mental health care access. This study investigated the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of iCOPE with COVID-19, a brief telemental health intervention for children and adolescents to address anxiety symptoms. Sessions were provided exclusively using videoconferencing technology. Feasibility and acceptability were measured with client satisfaction data. The main outcome measure for effectiveness was anxiety symptom severity measured using the Screen for Child Anxiety and Related Disorders (SCARED). Results indicated that the treatment was well accepted by participants. Significant reductions in anxiety were noted for social anxiety, and were observed to be trending towards a mean decrease for total anxiety. The findings suggest that this brief telemental health intervention focused on reducing anxiety related to COVID-19 is acceptable and feasible to children and adolescents. Future research using a large sample and with a longer follow-up period could inform whether symptom decreases are sustained over time.