title: Social anxiety and self-concept in children with epilepsy: a pilot intervention study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) anxiety intervention on social phobia, social skill development, and self-concept.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen children with epilepsy and a primary anxiety disorder participated in a CBT intervention for 12 weeks plus a 3-month follow-up visit. Children were assessed at baseline, week 7, week 12, and 3 months post treatment to measure changes in social phobia using the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). Self-concept was also assessed by using the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale II (Piers-Harris 2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant reduction in symptoms of social phobia and improved self-concept at the end of the 12-week intervention and at the 3 month follow-up. Repeated measures ANOVA's of child ratings revealed significant change over time on the SCARED-Social Phobia/Social Anxiety subscale score (p=0.024). In terms of self-concept, significant change over time was detected on the Piers-Harris 2-Total score (p=0.015) and several subscale scores of Piers-Harris 2, including: Physical Appearance and Attributes (p=0.016), Freedom from Anxiety (p=0.005), and Popularity (p=0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot investigation utilized an evidenced based CBT intervention to reduce symptoms of social phobia, which in turn provided a vehicle to address specific social skills improving self-concept in children with epilepsy.
authors: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Department of Neurology, United States. Electronic address: jejones@neurology.wisc.edu.
authors: Jana E
authors: JE
authors: Jones
authors: Long Island University, Department of Psychology, United States.
authors: Jacquelyn B
authors: JB
authors: Blocher
authors: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Department of Neurology, United States.
authors: Daren C
authors: DC
authors: Jackson
authors: Michigan State University, Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology & Special Education, United States.
authors: Connie
authors: C
authors: Sung
authors: Tohoku University, School of Medicine, Department of Epileptology, Japan.
authors: Mayu
authors: M
authors: Fujikawa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Intervention; Pediatric epilepsy; Self-concept; Social anxiety; Social phobia; Social skills