Effectiveness of a Family-Based Treatment for Preventing Anxiety Disorders in At-Risk Children

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders in children and adolescents,
and they are associated with short- and long-term impairment in social, academic, familial,
and psychological functioning. The children of parents with anxiety disorders are more
likely to develop anxiety disorders themselves, because of genetic factors and the
atmosphere in which they are raised. Previous research indicates that the risk of anxiety
disorders among children can be reduced through preventive therapeutic interventions. In
children with anxiety disorders whose parents also have anxiety disorders, therapy that
includes their family is more successful than therapy focused only on the child. This study
will test the effectiveness of a preventive, family-based therapy for children whose parents
have anxiety disorders.

Participation in this study will last 1 year. First, interested participants will be asked
to perform a screening assessment. This will include providing information about the
symptoms, behaviors, and functioning of parent and child participants; filling out
questionnaires; and videotaping the child and parent participants interacting. If, after the
screening, participants are selected to continue with the study, they will be randomly
assigned to receive either information monitoring or family-based cognitive behavioral
therapy. Child and parent participants assigned to information monitoring will receive a
booklet with information on coping with anxiety. Child and parent participants assigned to
family-based cognitive behavioral therapy will meet with a study clinician for eight,
weekly, 1-hour intervention visits, during which participants will learn skills to reduce
anxiety. After completing the weekly visits, participants in this group will also receive
three monthly booster sessions, in which coping skills will be reviewed. In addition to the
screening visit, all participants will undergo identical assessments at three more time
periods: 9 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after entering the study. All participants will
also receive monthly phone calls throughout the study to monitor the children's anxiety
symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Parents of child participant have a current, primary anxiety disorder

Exclusion Criteria:

- Child has an anxiety disorder or is currently in treatment for anxiety