ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the relative efficacy of an exposure-based contingency management (CM) treatment condition and an exposure-based cognitive self-control (SC) treatment condition relative to an education support (ES) control condition for treating children with phobic disorders. Eighty-one children and their parents completed a 10-week treatment program in which children and parents were seen in separate treatment sessions with the therapist, followed by a brief conjoint meeting. Children in both the CM and SC conditions showed substantial improvement on all of the outcome measures. These gains were maintained at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Interestingly, children in the ES condition also showed comparable improvements at posttreatment and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Implications of the findings are discussed with respect to knowledge development and clinical practice.
Subject(s)
Behavior Therapy/standards , Phobic Disorders/therapy , Analysis of Variance , Behavior Therapy/methods , Chi-Square Distribution , Child , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Ninety-six students at a high school in a major urban setting were assessed for exposure to violent crime, resultant stress symptoms, and use of social support and coping strategies to moderate the symptoms. Rates of exposure and symptomatology were found to be high, and aspects of the moderating factors were significantly related to amount and severity of symptoms. Directions for further research are outlined and implications for intervention are noted.