Abstract
The development of treatments based on cognitive models of worry has led to improved outcomes for adults with Generalized
Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and holds out the promise that similar improvements may be achieved for GAD further down the age range.
The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of a GAD-specific, cognitive treatment in a sample of children and
adolescents with GAD. Sixteen youth (7–17 years of age) who were consecutive referrals to a specialty anxiety disorders clinic,
with a primary diagnosis of DSM-IV GAD, and who were not undergoing concurrent pharmacological treatment for anxiety were
provided 5 to 15 session (mean = 9.7) of cognitive therapy aimed at their tolerance for uncertainty, beliefs about worry,
negative problem orientation, and cognitive avoidance strategies. All participants who entered the study completed treatment
and 13 (81%) lost their GAD diagnosis (not blindly assessed); two were improved but still had GAD and one experienced no improvement
at all. Age, gender and number of sessions received were unrelated to diagnostic outcome but age was positively correlated
(r = 0.6, P < .01) with pre-to-post reductions in worry frequency. The uncontrolled effect size for self-reported worry was 2.0 and for
anxiety was 1.4. Further controlled evaluations of this cognitive treatment for GAD in children and adolescents are warranted.
Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and holds out the promise that similar improvements may be achieved for GAD further down the age range.
The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of a GAD-specific, cognitive treatment in a sample of children and
adolescents with GAD. Sixteen youth (7–17 years of age) who were consecutive referrals to a specialty anxiety disorders clinic,
with a primary diagnosis of DSM-IV GAD, and who were not undergoing concurrent pharmacological treatment for anxiety were
provided 5 to 15 session (mean = 9.7) of cognitive therapy aimed at their tolerance for uncertainty, beliefs about worry,
negative problem orientation, and cognitive avoidance strategies. All participants who entered the study completed treatment
and 13 (81%) lost their GAD diagnosis (not blindly assessed); two were improved but still had GAD and one experienced no improvement
at all. Age, gender and number of sessions received were unrelated to diagnostic outcome but age was positively correlated
(r = 0.6, P < .01) with pre-to-post reductions in worry frequency. The uncontrolled effect size for self-reported worry was 2.0 and for
anxiety was 1.4. Further controlled evaluations of this cognitive treatment for GAD in children and adolescents are warranted.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-010-9341-z
- Authors
- Susanna Payne, Department of Psychology (PO77), King’s College London/Institute of Psychiatry, 16 DeCrespigny Park Road, London, SE5 8AF UK
- Derek Bolton, Department of Psychology (PO77), King’s College London/Institute of Psychiatry, 16 DeCrespigny Park Road, London, SE5 8AF UK
- Sean Perrin, Department of Psychology (PO77), King’s College London/Institute of Psychiatry, 16 DeCrespigny Park Road, London, SE5 8AF UK
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916