Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Metacognitive Therapy: Moderators of Treatment Outcomes for Children with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

TY - JOUR

T1 - Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Metacognitive Therapy

T2 - Moderators of Treatment Outcomes for Children with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

AU - Walczak, Monika

AU - Breinholst, Sonja

AU - Ollendick, Thomas

AU - Esbjørn, Barbara Hoff

PY - 2019/6/15

Y1 - 2019/6/15

N2 - Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for childhood anxiety disorders, approximately 40% of youth remain anxious after treatment. Metacognitive therapy (MCT-c) for children with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has shown promising effects. The present study aimed to examine if CBT and MCT-c show differential effects in children with primary GAD based on baseline characteristics, in a quasi-experimental design. To investigate which treatment is most beneficial for whom, three potential moderators: age, symptom severity, and comorbid social anxiety were examined. Sixty-three children aged 7–14 completed CBT or MCT-c. Participants were assessed before and after treatment. Both CBT and MCT-c were highly effective in treatment of childhood GAD. None of the selected variables significantly moderated treatment outcomes. Subgroups of children with high symptom severity and social anxiety comorbidity showed trends of responding better to CBT. Methodologically stronger studies are needed to facilitate a better adaptation of treatment for children with GAD.

AB - Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for childhood anxiety disorders, approximately 40% of youth remain anxious after treatment. Metacognitive therapy (MCT-c) for children with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has shown promising effects. The present study aimed to examine if CBT and MCT-c show differential effects in children with primary GAD based on baseline characteristics, in a quasi-experimental design. To investigate which treatment is most beneficial for whom, three potential moderators: age, symptom severity, and comorbid social anxiety were examined. Sixty-three children aged 7–14 completed CBT or MCT-c. Participants were assessed before and after treatment. Both CBT and MCT-c were highly effective in treatment of childhood GAD. None of the selected variables significantly moderated treatment outcomes. Subgroups of children with high symptom severity and social anxiety comorbidity showed trends of responding better to CBT. Methodologically stronger studies are needed to facilitate a better adaptation of treatment for children with GAD.

KW - CBT

KW - Childhood anxiety

KW - GAD

KW - MCT-c

KW - Moderators of treatment outcomes

U2 - 10.1007/s10578-018-0853-1

DO - 10.1007/s10578-018-0853-1

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 30406900

AN - SCOPUS:85056346467

SN - 0009-398X

VL - 50

SP - 449

EP - 458

JO - Child Psychiatry and Human Development

JF - Child Psychiatry and Human Development

IS - 3

ER -