Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
Published on: January 17, 2025
ACCOMMODATION AND TREATMENT OF ANXIOUS YOUTH
Elana R Kagan1, Jeremy S Peterman2, Matthew M Carper2
1Temple University, Department of Psychology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. elana.kagan@temple.edu.
Background:
Parental accommodation refers to the ways in which a parent modifies their behavior to avoid or reduce the distress their child experiences. Parents of youth with anxiety disorders have been found to accommodate their child's anxiety in a variety of ways that contribute to the maintenance of the disorder. The current study evaluated the relationship between parental accommodation and the outcome of treatment for youth with anxiety.
Methods:
Sixty-two youth (age 6-17) and their parents were evaluated for youth anxiety and parental accommodation before and after treatment. All youth received individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Results:
Parental accommodation was significantly reduced from before to after treatment. Reduction in parent-rated accommodation was significantly associated with the severity of youth's posttreatment anxiety, even when controlling for pretreatment youth anxiety. Level of pretreatment accommodation was significantly associated with treatment response.
Conclusions:
Findings indicate that parental accommodation is significantly reduced after individual youth CBT, and suggest that accommodation may be an important treatment focus. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Behavior Therapy
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Anxiety: Overview
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic...
Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
Social Anxiety Disorder
