A selective intervention program for inhibited preschool-aged children of parents with an anxiety disorder: effects on current anxiety disorders and temperament.
OBJECTIVE
The current study evaluated the efficacy of early intervention for preschool-aged children selected on the basis of risk who also met diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders.


METHODS
Seventy-one 3- to 4-year-old children were selected based on demonstrating high levels of inhibition and having a parent with a current anxiety disorder. They were randomly allocated to an eight-session parent intervention or waitlist.


RESULTS
At baseline, all of the children met criteria for one or more anxiety disorders. At 6-month follow-up, the intervention group showed a significantly greater reduction in anxiety disorders and less interference from their anxiety than the waitlist. In addition, children in the intervention condition showed greater reductions in parent and laboratory observed measures of behavioral inhibition.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that a brief early intervention delivered through parents can reduce current anxiety and associated risk and may have the potential to alter the developmental trajectory of anxiety in a high-risk group of young children.
Kennedy
Susan J
SJ
Drs. Kennedy, Rapee, and Edwards are with the Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University.
Rapee
Ronald M
RM
Drs. Kennedy, Rapee, and Edwards are with the Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University. Electronic address: Ron.Rapee@mq.edu.au.
Edwards
Susan L
SL
Drs. Kennedy, Rapee, and Edwards are with the Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University.
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012792:Shyness; D012951:Socialization; D013694:Temperament