Training dentally anxious children to cope.
This investigation compared the relative effectiveness of exposure-based, multicomponent treatment of grammar-school-aged children with dental phobia in a school-based program. Multicomponent treatment was administered in three group sessions consisting of coping-skills training, administered in a school dental operatory setting, combined with exposure to a coping-model videotape. Comparison conditions were exposure-based coping-skills training; modeling video-tape; classroom-based (non-exposure) coping-skills training; information dissemination/discussion group; and waiting-list control. Results supported the relative efficacy of exposure-based, multicomponent treatment in reducing subjective anxiety compared with the waiting-list control, information dissemination/group discussion, video-tape-modeling condition, and non-exposure-based coping-skills-training conditions. No treatment group differences were found for pulse or behavioral ratings of anxiety.
Del Gaudio
D J
DJ
Department of Psychology, St. John's University, Jamaica, NY 11439.
Nevid
J S
JS
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001288:Attention; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology*; D003770:Dental Offices; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011674:Pulse; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012575:Schools, Dental; D014743:Videotape Recording