title: The role of perfectionism in cognitive behaviour therapy outcomes for clinically anxious children.
abstract: The main aim of this study was to determine whether pre-treatment levels of child perfectionism impacted on anxiety treatment outcomes for school-aged children. In addition, it was investigated whether child perfectionism decreased following treatment for anxiety. Participants were sixty-seven clinically anxious children aged 6-13 years (female = 34; majority Caucasian) who were enrolled in a group-based cognitive behaviour therapy program, and their parents. They completed self-report questionnaires on anxiety and depressive symptoms and were administered a diagnostic interview to determine the type and clinician rated severity of anxiety and related disorders pre- and post-treatment and at 6-month follow-up. Self- and parent-rated perfectionism were also measured pre-treatment, while a subset of children completed perfectionism measures post-treatment as well. Self-Oriented Perfectionism, but not Socially Prescribed Perfectionism, predicted poorer self-reported treatment outcome (higher levels of anxiety symptoms) immediately following treatment and at 6-month follow-up when using a multi-informant approach. Additionally, both Self-Oriented and Socially Prescribed child perfectionism significantly reduced immediately following treatment. Despite reductions in child perfectionism following anxiety treatment, higher Self-Oriented Perfectionism may impact negatively on child anxiety treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia.
authors.forename: Jennifer H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Newall
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Broeren
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hudson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010551:Personality; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Anxiety; Children; Cognitive behaviour therapy; Perfectionism; Treatment outcomes