Predictors of outcome in exposure-based cognitive and behavioral treatments. for phobic and anxiety disorders in children

This study examined predictors of exposure-based cognitive and behavioral t reatments for phobic and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Chi ldren's sociodemographics, diagnostic characteristics (e.g., number of diag noses), treatment format (i.e., individual, group), child symptoms assessed from the. perspective of the child and parent (e.g., anxiety, fear), paren t symptoms, and marital adjustment were examined. The best predictors of tr eatment outcome were depression and trait anxiety in the child, and several psychological symptoms in the parent (e.g., depression, hostility, paranoi a). Parent symptoms were less effective predictors with older children and with group treatment. The results are discussed with respect to previous re search findings as well as potential treatment implications.