Effectiveness of group cognitive-behavioral treatment for childhood anxiety in community clinics.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral treatment for childhood anxiety in a community clinic setting in Hong Kong, China. Forty-five clinically-referred children (age 6-11 years) were randomly assigned to either a cognitive-behavioral treatment program or a waitlist-control condition. Children in the treatment condition showed significant reduction in anxiety symptoms-both statistically and clinically-whereas children in the waitlist condition did not. After the waitlist period was over, the control group also received the treatment program and showed a similar reduction in symptoms. For the full sample of 45 children, the effectiveness of the intervention was significant immediately after treatment and in 3- and 6-month follow-ups. In addition, children's anxiety cognition and their ability to cope with anxiety-provoking situations fully mediated the treatment gains. These results offer empirical support for cognitive-behavioral treatment programs in a non-Western cultural context and plausible mediators for how cognitive-behavioral therapy works.
Lau
Wai-yee
WY
Department of Health, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Chan
Charlotte Kwok-ying
CK
Li
Johnson Ching-hong
JC
Au
Terry Kit-fong
TK
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome