Selective Prevention of Anxiety Disorders in Children: A Parent Training Intervention for Anxious Parents

Overview

Anxiety is the most frequent psychiatric problem in children. Untreated anxiety often has a chronic course, or may be a recurring condition. Anxiety in children predicts a variety of psychiatric disorders later in life, and involves problems regarding school performance and social relations. The literature provides a number of factors, which are suggested to increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder. In particular, it has been shown that children of parents with anxiety disorders are at much greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder. Several studies have found a correlation between anxiety in the child, and parent behavior characterized by criticism, control and overprotectiveness. The present study aim to preliminary evaluate whether a eight week parent training intervention can reduce the incidence of anxiety disorders in children and to evaluate the feasibility of the parent training. Three central factors has been the basis in developing the parent training, all of which are considered to be involved in the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders in children (1) criticism and rejection, (2) control and overprotectiveness, and (3) parental modeling and reinforcement of anxiety. The goal of the parent training is therefore (1) to increase warmth and acceptance, (2) to increase autonomy for the child, and (3) modeling and reinforcement of brave behavior. The investigators intend to include 60 anxious parents in the study, who will be randomly allocated to either group parent training, Internet delivered parent training, or wait-list condition. The inclusion criteria are as follows: The parent states that he/she experiences anxiety or worry, the parents' child is 6-12 years old, and do not fulfill criteria for an anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder, the parent possesses everyday access to the Internet, and there is no presence of very aggravated family situations, such as parent substance abuse or severe depression, or domestic violence.

Full Title of Study: “Selective Prevention of Anxiety Disorders in Children: A Randomized Controlled Preliminary Study of a Parent Training Intervention for Anxious Parents”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Prevention
    • Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: December 2016

Interventions

  • Behavioral: Group parent training for anxious parents
  • Behavioral: Internet delivered parent training for anxious parents

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Experimental: Group parent training
    • The intervention Group parent training for anxious parents is delivered in groups of about five, in 90 minutes per session, for eight consecutive weeks. The parent training is delivered by a licensed psychologist.
  • Experimental: Internet delivered parent training
    • In the internet delivered parent training for anxious parents, parents are asked to work with one chapter each week, for eight consecutive weeks. Each chapter mirrors a session in the group format. Parents are able to e-mail a licensed psychologist during the intervention.
  • No Intervention: Wait-list
    • Parents in the wait-list condition will receive the intervention after 12-month follow-up.

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule – Child and Parent Version
    • Time Frame: At 12-month follow up

Secondary Measures

  • The Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale
    • Time Frame: Change from baseline in anxiety symptom scores at 12 months follow-up
    • Rated by the child and the parent independently
  • Children Depression Inventory
    • Time Frame: Change from baseline in depressive symptom scores at 12 months follow-up
    • Rated by the child
  • The Rearing Behavior Questionnaire
    • Time Frame: Change from baseline in rearing behavior scores at 12 months follow-up
    • Rated by parents
  • Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
    • Time Frame: Change from baseline in dfficulties scores at 12 months follow-up
    • Rated by parents
  • State-Trait Anxiety Inventory
    • Time Frame: Change from baseline in anxiety symptom scores at 12 months follow-up
    • Rated by parents
  • Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale
    • Time Frame: Change from baseline in depressive symptom scores at 12 months follow-up
    • Rated by parents
  • Quality of Life Inventory
    • Time Frame: Change from baseline in quality of life scores at 12 months follow-up
    • Rated by parents

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • The parent states that he/she experiences anxiety or worry, – The parents' child is 6-12 years old, and do not fulfill criteria for an anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder – The parent possesses everyday access to the Internet Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of very aggravated family situations, such as parent substance abuse or severe depression, or domestic violence.

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: N/A

Maximum Age: N/A

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Karolinska Institutet
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Principal Investigator: Ata Ghaderi, Professor, PhD – Karolinska Institutet
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Ata Ghaderi, PhD, Principal Investigator, Karolinska Institutet

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