Treatment programs for severe night-time fears: a methodological note

A multiple baseline design across subjects was used to examine the efficacy of a treatment package consisting of relaxation, reinforcement, and cognitive self-instruction in the reduction of severe night-time fears in six children. Although the disruptive bedtime behaviors of five of the six children were reduced, the multiple baseline analysis revealed that changes were not solely due to treatment. For children with extended baselines, improvement preceded treatment. The implications of these findings for the treatment of fear of the dark and multicomponent treatment programs are discussed.