Abstract
The high prevalence and early onset of anxiety disorders have inspired innovative prevention efforts targeting young at-risk
children. With parent–child prevention models showing success for older children and adolescents, the goal of this study was
to evaluate a parent–child indicated preventive intervention for preschoolers with mild to moderate anxiety symptoms. Sixteen
children (ages 3–5) and at least one of their parents participated in Strengthening Early Emotional Development (SEED), a
new 10-week intervention with concurrent groups for parents and children. Outcome measures included clinician-rated and parent-rated
assessments of anxiety symptoms, as well as measures of emotion knowledge, parent anxiety, and parental attitudes about children’s
anxiety. Participation in SEED was associated with reduced child anxiety symptoms and improved emotion understanding skills.
Parents reported decreases in their own anxiety, along with attitudes reflecting enhanced confidence in their children’s ability
to cope with anxiety. Reductions in child and parent anxiety were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Findings suggest that a
parent–child cognitive-behavioral preventive intervention may hold promise for young children with mild to moderate anxiety.
Improvements in parent anxiety and parental attitudes may support the utility of intervening with parents. Fostering increased
willingness to encourage their children to engage in new and anxiety-provoking situations may help promote continued mastery
of new skills and successful coping with anxiety.
children. With parent–child prevention models showing success for older children and adolescents, the goal of this study was
to evaluate a parent–child indicated preventive intervention for preschoolers with mild to moderate anxiety symptoms. Sixteen
children (ages 3–5) and at least one of their parents participated in Strengthening Early Emotional Development (SEED), a
new 10-week intervention with concurrent groups for parents and children. Outcome measures included clinician-rated and parent-rated
assessments of anxiety symptoms, as well as measures of emotion knowledge, parent anxiety, and parental attitudes about children’s
anxiety. Participation in SEED was associated with reduced child anxiety symptoms and improved emotion understanding skills.
Parents reported decreases in their own anxiety, along with attitudes reflecting enhanced confidence in their children’s ability
to cope with anxiety. Reductions in child and parent anxiety were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Findings suggest that a
parent–child cognitive-behavioral preventive intervention may hold promise for young children with mild to moderate anxiety.
Improvements in parent anxiety and parental attitudes may support the utility of intervening with parents. Fostering increased
willingness to encourage their children to engage in new and anxiety-provoking situations may help promote continued mastery
of new skills and successful coping with anxiety.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10578-012-0283-4
- Authors
- Jeremy K. Fox, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Child Study Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, 215 Lexington Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Carrie Masia Warner, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Child Study Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, 215 Lexington Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Amy B. Lerner, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Child Study Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, 215 Lexington Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Kristy Ludwig, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Child Study Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, 215 Lexington Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Julie L. Ryan, School of Psychology, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1000 River Road, T-WH1-01, Teaneck, New Jersey, USA
- Daniela Colognori, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Child Study Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, 215 Lexington Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Christopher P. Lucas, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Child Study Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, 215 Lexington Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Laurie Miller Brotman, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Child Study Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, 215 Lexington Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development
- Online ISSN 1573-3327
- Print ISSN 0009-398X