ERIC Number: EJ754700
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Oct
Pages: 9
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0890-8567
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Early Intervention for Childhood Anxiety in a School Setting: Outcomes for an Economically Disadvantaged Population
Mifsud, Cynthia; Rapee, Ronald M.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, v44 n10 p996 Oct 2005
Objective: To evaluate a school-based early intervention program for the reduction of anxious symptoms in at-risk children from low socioeconomic status neighborhoods. Method: A total of 425 children (8-11 years old) from nine schools in low socioeconomic status areas were screened to identify children with high-level anxious symptoms. Ninety-one children were selected, and schools were assigned to either an eight-session active intervention or a waitlist control. Active intervention was conducted in small groups during school time by both school and health personnel. Parents of children in active intervention were offered two information sessions. Results: Demographic data indicated a low socioeconomic status for the sample. Children assigned to active intervention demonstrated a significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety relative to children assigned to waitlist and differences were maintained 4 months after treatment according to both self-report (F[subscript 287] = 6.73, p less than 0.005, partial [eta[squared] = 0.134) and teacher report (F[subscript 287] = 7.99, p = 0.001, partial [eta[squared] = 0.155). Parents did not return sufficient data for meaningful statistical analysis. Conclusions: School-based early intervention appears to offer an effective means of reducing anxious symptomatology in economically disadvantaged populations. The school environment offers promise as a means of extending the reach of efficacious interventions for mental health to underserviced populations. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Economically Disadvantaged, Parents, Educational Environment, Socioeconomic Status, Neighborhoods, Health Personnel, Anxiety, Early Intervention, Young Children, At Risk Persons, Low Income Groups, Intervention, Program Effectiveness, Outcomes of Treatment, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), School Health Services, Access to Health Care, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A