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Promoting braveness in children: A pilot study on the effects of a brief, intensive CBT-based anxiety prevention
Naomi Myburgh1, Peter Muris1,2, Helene Loxton1
1Department of Psychology, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Insights
A brief, intensive Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program showed promise in reducing anxiety symptoms for vulnerable South African children. This intervention may help overcome barriers to mental health care in underserved communities.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Mental Health Interventions
- Public Health in Developing Countries
Background:
- South African children in disadvantaged communities face significant barriers to mental health services.
- Anxiety disorders are a prevalent concern in these vulnerable populations.
- Existing mental health resources are scarce, necessitating accessible interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the preliminary effectiveness of a brief, intensive Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-based anxiety prevention program.
- To evaluate the feasibility of delivering CBT interventions in a resource-limited South African context.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods approach utilizing quantitative and qualitative data.
- Quasi-experimental design with immediate and delayed intervention groups.
- Focus group discussions to gather qualitative insights.
Main Results:
- A trend towards reduced self-reported anxiety levels was observed in the intervention group.
- Participants demonstrated acquisition and application of CBT skills.
- Positive effects of the CBT program were noted in vulnerable children.
Conclusions:
- Brief, intensive CBT-based prevention programs show potential for reducing anxiety in vulnerable South African children.
- This pilot study suggests a viable approach to address unmet mental health needs.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these promising findings.
Background:
Children within historically disadvantaged non-Western South African communities are considered as particularly vulnerable to the development of anxiety problems. Although the need for accessible mental health interventions is evident, this need has remained unmet in a country with extreme socio-economic disparities and a lack of mental health resources. Cognitive behavioural therapy-based (CBT-based) interventions that employ brief and intensive delivery methods may overcome existing barriers to access to mental health services faced by many South African children and may ameliorate the burden placed on under-resourced mental health care services.
Aim:
To provide preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of a brief, intensive CBT-based anxiety prevention intervention conducted in a South African context.
Method:
A mixed-methods approach, with quantitative and qualitative data, was used to evaluate the effects of the CBT-based programme in a sample of 21 farmworkers' children aged 9 to 14 years living in disadvantaged rural communities of the Western Cape. A quasi-experimental design with an immediate intervention (experimental) group and a delayed intervention (control) group was applied in the quantitative component of the study. The qualitative component was based on focus group data.
Results:
In general, positive effects were noted for the CBT-based anxiety prevention programme in these vulnerable children. Quantitative data revealed a trend reflecting a reduction of self-reported anxiety levels. Qualitative support for the acquisition and application of the CBT-based programme skills was also found.
Conclusion:
This pilot study indicates that a brief, intensive CBT-based prevention programme holds promise for the effective reduction of anxiety in vulnerable South African children.
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