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Early anxiety prevention through a live, online group-based parenting program: Effectiveness in a randomized
Nina L Komrij1, Frederike Y Scheper2, Mia P Kösters3
1Leiden University, Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|August 14, 2026
Summary
A live, online parenting program effectively reduced anxiety symptoms in young children. This accessible intervention offers a cost-effective solution for families and mental health services needing early prevention for childhood anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Mental Health Interventions
- Behavioral Inhibition
Background:
- Childhood anxiety is a prevalent mental health issue with significant family and societal impact.
- There is a critical need for accessible, effective, and cost-efficient preventive interventions.
- Parenting interventions are key to addressing early signs of anxiety in young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a live, online, group-based parenting intervention for preventing childhood anxiety.
- To assess the intervention's impact on anxiety symptoms in behaviorally inhibited children aged 3-6 years.
- To determine the long-term clinical relevance and sustainability of the intervention's effects.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 148 parents of behaviorally inhibited children.
- Intervention group received an online, group-based adaptation of 'Cool Little Kids'.
- Control group received a book with general parenting advice; analyses included 128 participants.
Main Results:
- Parents in the intervention group reported significantly lower child anxiety symptoms post-intervention (d=-0.35) and at 6-month (d=-0.46) and 12-month (d=-0.31) follow-ups.
- While group differences were not statistically significant at 12 months, effect sizes indicated sustained clinical relevance.
- The online, group-based format proved effective in reducing anxiety symptoms in young children.
Conclusions:
- Live, online, parent-focused, group-based delivery is an effective method for reducing anxiety in young, anxiety-prone children.
- This intervention model offers a scalable and accessible approach to early anxiety prevention.
- Findings support the clinical utility of accessible, evidence-based interventions for childhood anxiety.
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