Addressing Anxiety in 2-3-Year-Olds: A Pilot Intervention Study

Launched by MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · Jul 29, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how to help young children, specifically those aged 2 to 3 years old, who are experiencing anxiety, fear, or shyness. The researchers want to see if a special therapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help reduce these feelings of anxiety in children and if these benefits last for a year after treatment. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, all sessions are now conducted online, making it easier for families to participate from home.

To be eligible for this study, children need to show higher-than-normal levels of fear or shyness. For example, if a 2-year-old scores significantly higher than other children on a behavior questionnaire, they might qualify. Parents must be comfortable speaking and understanding English, and children should have some knowledge of English too. However, children with certain conditions, like Autism Spectrum Disorder or severe behavioral issues, cannot participate. Families who join the study can expect to work closely with therapists and will be guided through the CBT process to help improve their child's anxiety.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • The child scores \>1 Standard Deviation (SD) above reported means for the Fear or Shyness scales on the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire (ECBQ) (if child is 21-35 months) or the child scores \>1SD above reported means for the Total Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Physical Injury Fears, or Separation Anxiety scales on the Preschool Anxiety Scale (PAS) (if child is 36-47 months) as completed by a parent
• • The parents are able to speak, understand, and read English
• • The child must have a working knowledge of English.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or global developmental delay in the child
• • The child has disruptive behavior so severe as to interfere with participation in intervention sessions
• • The child has a different primary disorder for which CBT for anxiety is inappropriate (e.g. severe depression, depression in the mother, significant medical disorder).