Evaluation of cognitive-behavioral group treatments for childhood anxiety disorders

Undertook an evaluation of a cognitive-behavioral group family-based interv ention for childhood anxiety disorders in Brisbane, Australia. The treatmen t aimed to provide children and their families with skills in the managemen t of anxiety and avoidance, problem solving, and mutual family support. Chi ldren (n = 60) ranging from 7 to 14 years old who fulfilled diagnostic crit eria for separation anxiety, overanxious disorder, or social phobia were ra ndomly allocated to 3 treatment conditions: group cognitive-behavioral ther apy (GROUP-CBT) group cognitive-behavioral therapy plus family management ( GROUP-FAM), and wait list (WL). The effectiveness of the interventions was evaluated at posttreatment and 12-month follow-up, Results indicated that a cross treatment conditions, 64.8% of children no longer fulfilled diagnosti c criteria for an anxiety disorder in comparison with 25.2% of children on the wait list. At 12-month FU, 64.5% of children in the GROUP-CBT group and 84.8% of children in the GROUP-FAM group were diagnosis free. Comparisons of children receiving GROUP-CBT with those receiving GROUP-FAM on self-repo rt measures and clinician ratings indicated marginal added benefits from GR OUP-FAM treatment. Results show that CBT interventions for childhood anxiet y disorders can be effectively administered in a group format.