Cognitive-behavioural interventions for prevention and treatment of anxiety in young children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cognitive-behavioural interventions for prevention and treatment of anxiety in young children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors
Howes Vallis, E. Zwicker, A. Uher, R. Pavlova, B.
Year
2020
Journal
Clinical Psychology Review
Volume
81
Pages
101904
BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders are common and impairing throughout the life course. Propensity to anxiety disorders manifests as distress and avoidance of novel stimuli (called behavioural inhibition) as early as in infancy. Already in preschool children, anxiety disorders impact emotional development and school readiness. Anxiety disorders and behavioural inhibition are prospectively associated with increased risk of mood disorders, substance use, and suicide. Therefore, early targeted prevention and treatment need to be considered. Cognitive-behavioural interventions are effective for anxiety in older age group but their efficacy for preschool children remains to be established. METHODS: We searched PsycINFO, PubMed, and Embase until September 19th, 2019 using terms describing anxiety, behavioural inhibition, intervention, and young children. We included studies with young children participating in a cognitive-behavioural intervention for anxiety disorders, anxiety symptoms, or behavioural inhibition. We completed random-effects robust meta-analyses to (1) compare anxiety measures before and after intervention and to (2) compare intervention and control groups. RESULTS: We identified 43 samples including 2656 participants with a mean age of 5.45 (SD = 1.00) years. Anxiety decreased after cognitive-behavioural intervention (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.34, 95%CI -1.59 to -1.09, p < 0.0001). Anxiety decreased more in children who received intervention than in children in control conditions (SMD = -0.81, 95%CI -1.00 to -0.63, p < 0.0001). The difference remained significant after correcting for potential publication bias and outliers (SMD = -0.89, 95% CI -1.13 to -0.66, p < 0.0001). The improvement was maintained over follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive-behavioural interventions are effective for prevention and treatment of anxiety in young children.

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Type of intervention

Preventive- and Promotive Health Interventions

Early Intervention

Treatment and Child Welfare Interventions

Topic

Mental Health Problems and Disorders

Anxiety Problems

Anxiety and Anxiousness

Intervention

Psychological Treatments

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Therapy

Age group

Preschool Aged Children (3-5 years)

School Aged Children (6-12 years)

More information
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