School-based intervention for anxiety using group cognitive behavior therapy in Pakistan: a feasibility randomized...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Research
• Adolescent Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Anxiety and mood disorders are leading causes of illness in individuals under 25, significantly impacting global health.
• Pakistan faces a severe mental health crisis with inadequate psychiatric resources and a lack of accessible interventions for adolescents.
• There is a critical need for evidence-based, culturally relevant interventions to address the rising mental health issues among Pakistani youth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based interventions for reducing anxiety symptoms in Pakistani school children.
• To assess the impact of group-based CBT on anxiety and social skills among adolescents.
• To provide a foundation for developing indigenous, school-based mental health programs in Pakistan.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial with a pre-post design involving 34 participants from four schools in Rawalpindi.
• Participants were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory for Youth (BAI-Y II) and BASC-3 BESS-SF.
• The intervention group received eight weekly group CBT sessions, while the control group was wait-listed.

Main Results:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) significantly improved anxiety symptoms in school children compared to the control group.
• The intervention also led to enhancements in social skills among the participating adolescents.
• The findings support the efficacy of CBT in addressing adolescent anxiety within a school setting.

Conclusions:

• School-based, group CBT interventions show promise for improving anxiety treatment in Pakistan.
• Prioritizing accessible, evidence-based mental health programs in schools is crucial for adolescent well-being.
• This study provides a framework for implementing similar interventions in similar cultural contexts.