title: The efficacy of a family-based cognitive-behavioral treatment for separation anxiety disorder in children aged 8-13: a randomized comparison with a general anxiety program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This randomized controlled trial examines the relative efficacy of a disorder-specific treatment program (TrennungsAngstprogramm Für Familien [TAFF]; English: Separation Anxiety Family Therapy) for children suffering from separation anxiety disorder (SAD) in comparison with a general anxiety program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four children aged 8-13 with SAD and their parents were assigned either to a 16-session disorder-specific SAD treatment program, including parent training and classical cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) components (TAFF), or to a general child-focused 16-week comparison group (Coping Cat [CC]) without any parent training. Diagnoses and parent cognitions were assessed at baseline and at follow-ups. Global success ratings were collected at end of treatment and at follow-up. Ratings for anxiety, impairment/distress, and life quality were collected at Baseline 1, again after a 4-week waiting period, repeatedly throughout treatment, at 4 weeks, and at 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate (no SAD diagnosis) at 4-week follow-up among the 52 treatment completers was 87.5% vs. 82.1% (TAFF vs. CC; intent-to-treat: 67.7% vs. 69.7%). At 1-year follow-up, the response was 83.3% versus 75% (TAFF vs. CC; intent to treat: 64.5% vs. 63.6%). Differences were nonsignificant. Results from rating scales indicated improvement for both groups across time points and assessment areas, with few between-group differences, and some small effects favoring the TAFF program. Both treatment programs yielded a reduction in parental dysfunctional beliefs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicate a slight advantage of the TAFF program over a general child-based treatment for SAD. However, these differences were less strong than hypothesized, indicating that the inclusion of parent training does not add large effects to classical child-based CBT in school-age children with SAD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blatter-Meunier
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Herren
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: In-Albon
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Adornetto
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Kristen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Lavallee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D001010:Anxiety, Separation / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome