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Familial predictors of treatment outcome in childhood anxiety disorders

A M Crawford1, K Manassis

  • 1Department of Human Development and Applied Psychology, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Toronto, Canada. mcrawford@oise.utoronto.ca

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
|October 9, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Family dysfunction negatively impacts treatment outcomes for children with anxiety disorders. Addressing family factors may improve therapeutic results in pediatric anxiety treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Anxiety disorders are prevalent in children.
  • Cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) is a common intervention.
  • The role of family factors in treatment success is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if family factors predict treatment outcomes in children with anxiety disorders undergoing CBT.
  • To examine the relationship between family functioning and treatment response.

Main Methods:

  • 61 children (8-12 years) with anxiety disorders participated.
  • Parents and children completed pre- and post-treatment assessments of family functioning, parenting stress, and parental psychopathology.
  • Outcomes measured included clinician-rated functioning and child-rated anxiety.

Main Results:

  • Child-reported family dysfunction and frustration predicted clinician-rated improvement.
  • Parental reports of family dysfunction and maternal stress predicted mother-rated improvement.
  • Family factors also improved during treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Family dysfunction is associated with poorer treatment outcomes in pediatric anxiety.
  • Family dynamics may be a crucial target for improving CBT efficacy in children.
Abstract

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