Does comorbidity predict poorer treatment outcome in pediatric anxiety disorders? An updated 10-year review

Longitudinal Pathways from Parent Internalizing Symptoms to Parent and Youth Emotion Functioning

The current study utilized mediation analyses to examine how parental symptoms of depression and anxiety impact child emotion regulation (ER) and emotion stability (ES) through parent emotion functioning, parenting, and the coparent relationship. 564 parents of children between 3 and 17 years (Mage = 9.47; 54.4% male) were recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk across three time points: baseline (Wave 1), 4 months (Wave 2), 8 months (Wave 3). Mediation results demonstrated that symptoms of parent depression at Wave 1 predicted worse coparent relationships and decreases in parents' ability to identify their own emotions at Wave 2. Symptoms of parental anxiety at Wave 1 predicted decreases in positive parenting and an increased tendency to have negative secondary emotional responses, impulse-control difficulties, and difficulty accessing emotion-regulation strategies at Wave 2. Additionally, symptoms of parental anxiety at Wave 1 directly predicted lower child ER and ES at Wave 3. However, no significant indirect pathways were identified between parent symptoms and child ER and ES. Sensitivity analyses examined the effects of three youth developmental stages (i.e., early and middle childhood and adolescence), as well as parent gender (i.e., mother and father), and found no significant differences across groups. Thus, even at non-clinical levels, parental symptoms of anxiety and depression may negatively impact parenting, parent regulation, and the coparent relationship, while parental anxiety symptoms may contribute to lower child ER and ES.

Modular CBT for Childhood Anxiety Disorders: Evaluating Clinical Outcomes and its Predictors

This study examined clinical outcomes of a modular individual CBT for children with anxiety disorders (AD), and predictors of outcomes, in usual clinical practice. Participants were 106 children with ADs (7-17 years), and parents. Assessments were pre-, mid-, post-test, and 10 weeks after CBT (follow-up). Predictors (measured pre-treatment) were child characteristics (gender, age, type of AD, comorbid disorders), fathers' and mothers' anxious/depressive symptoms, and parental involvement (based on parents' presence during treatment sessions and the use of a parent module in treatment). At follow-up, 59% (intent-to-treat analyses) to 70% (completer analysis) of the children were free from their primary anxiety disorder. A significant decrease in anxiety symptoms was found. Higher parental involvement was related to lower child anxiety at follow-up, but only for children with comorbid disorders. Findings suggest that it is beneficial to treat anxiety with modular CBT. Future steps involve comparisons of modularized CBT with control conditions.

Treating child anxiety using family-based internet delivered cognitive behavior therapy with brief therapist guidance: A randomized controlled trial

Online treatment delivery has the potential to increase access to evidence-based mental health care for children with anxiety disorders. Using a randomized controlled trial design, we evaluated the efficacy of Cool Kids Online, a family-based and therapist supported internet-delivered cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) designed to target anxiety disorders in children. Ninety-five children aged 7-12 years with a DSM-5 anxiety disorder were randomly allocated to Cool Kids Online or a waitlist control. Children were assessed at baseline, week 11, and 6-months following treatment. Children in waitlist received treatment after week 11 and also completed assessments immediately and six months after treatment, allowing treatment maintenance to be evaluated for all children. Compared to waitlist, Cool Kids Online led to significantly greater remission of anxiety disorders (primary and all anxiety diagnoses) and greater reduction of caregiver-reported anxiety symptoms and interference at week 11. Child-reported anxiety symptoms and interference and child- and caregiver-reported depressive or externalizing symptoms did not differ significantly between conditions. Medium to large within-treatment effects were observed for all children from pre to post treatment with post treatment effects maintained until follow-up. Overall, the findings provide support for the efficacy of the program in treating anxiety. Cool Kids Online compared to waitlist for the remission of anxiety disorders in clinically anxious children; anzctr.org.au; ACTRN12615000947505.

Predictors of school-based cognitive behavior therapy outcome for youth with anxiety

Meta-analyses of school-based CBT have shown that prevention for anxiety symptoms typically report small but significant effects. There is limited knowledge regarding which youths may benefit most and least from such programs, and characteristics of youth who respond differentially to interventions of different intensity. The present study examined predictors of school-based CBT outcomes among 302 youths (mean age 14.0 years, SD 0.8, 84% female) who participated in a randomized waitlist-controlled trial comparing a 10-session and a 5-session group intervention. Potential predictors included youth and parental factors, and credibility and expectancy of the interventions. Pre-intervention anxiety and depression levels, and clinician rated severity were examined as moderators of intervention effects. Outcomes were youth-, and parent-reported youth anxiety and depressive symptoms at post-intervention and 1-year follow-up. Higher parent-reported impairment from youth anxiety predicted larger parent-reported anxiety and depressive symptom change, whereas higher caregiver strain was associated with less symptom change. Higher parent rated credibility and expectancy was associated with improved outcomes at post-intervention. At 1-year follow-up, no predictors of outcome were identified. No moderators were identified. Families with high levels of caregiver strain associated with youth anxiety may need extra support regardless of length of intervention program. Parents' credibility and expectancy of interventions should be targeted to optimize school-based CBT.

Effect modification of an effective transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral psychotherapy in youths with common mental health problems: Secondary analyses of the randomized mind-my-mind trial

Mind My Mind (MMM) cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) manualized treatment is effective in the management of common emotional and behavioral mental health problems in youth, yet not all individuals respond satisfactorily to treatment. This study explored potential effect modifiers, i.e., baseline factors associated with a differential treatment effect. We conducted secondary effect modifier analyses with MMM trial data, which involved randomization of 396 youths aged 6-16 years to either MMM CBT treatment (9-13 sessions) or management as usual in local community settings. We examined sociodemographic- (sex, age, family composition, ethnicity, parental education, and income) and clinical variables (mental disorders and duration of mental health problems) as potential effect modifiers of the a) change in parent-rated impact of mental health problems measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) or b) response (reduction of ≥1 on SDQ-impact). In intention-to-treat analyses, superior treatment (net) benefits from the MMM intervention were found among youths who met criteria for any mental disorder at baseline (-1.25 [95%CI: -1.67;-0.82]) compared to youths that did not meet diagnostic criteria (-0.22 [95%CI:-1.09;0.65]). Comorbidity vs no comorbidity (-1.84 [95%CI:-2.58;-1.10] vs -0.72 [95%CI:-1.15;-0.29]) and longer duration of untreated mental health problems, i.e., more vs less than 6 months (-1.16 [95%CI:-1.55;-0.78] vs 0.43 [95%CI:-1.01;1.86]) were also associated with superior treatment benefits. The sociodemographic factors were not associated with differential treatment effects in the intention-to-treat analyses. These findings suggest that community-based programs like the MMM are well-suited for youths with substantial mental health problems. Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT03535805.

Brief Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety and Depression in Pediatric Primary Care: Breadth of Intervention Impact

OBJECTIVE

To report on broad-based outcomes of the Brief Behavioral Therapy (BBT) trial for pediatric anxiety and depression. Secondary data analyses expand on previous reports by assessing diagnostic remission and independent functioning, impact on targeted psychopathology, and spillover effects on non-targeted outcomes.

METHOD

Youth (N = 185; 8-16.9 years; 58% female; 78% White; 21% Hispanic) with anxiety and/or depression were eligible for this multi-site trial. Enrolled youth were randomly assigned to receive 8 to 12 sessions of BBT in primary care or assisted referral to outpatient care (ARC). Assessments were conducted 16 and 32 weeks post randomization.

RESULTS

BBT was superior to ARC on remission of all targeted diagnoses (week 16: 56.8% vs 28.2%, p < .001; week 32: 62.5% vs 38.9%, p = .004), clinician-rated independent functioning (week 16: 75.0% vs 45.7%, p < .001; week 32: 81.2% vs 55.7%, p < .001), and on measures of anxiety, depression, suicide items, total comorbid behavioral and emotional problems, and hyperactivity (d = 0.21-0.49). Moderation analyses revealed superior outcomes for Hispanic youth in BBT vs ARC for diagnostic remission, anxiety, emotional problems, and parent-child conflict. Youth depression at baseline moderated effects on peer problems and parent-child conflict, with effects favoring BBT. Significant main and moderated effects of BBT on change in non-targeted outcomes were largely mediated by change in anxiety (24.2%-49.3% of total effects mediated).

CONCLUSION

BBT has positive effects on youth, mediated by the strong impact of the intervention on anxiety. Analyses continue to support positive outcomes for Hispanic youth, suggesting that BBT is a broadly effective transdiagnostic treatment option for diverse populations.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Pediatric Anxiety and Depression in Primary Care; https://clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01147614.

Relationship Between Self-Reported Concomitant Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms and the Post-Concussion Symptoms Scale (PCSS)

OBJECTIVES

The current study explored how affective disturbances, particularly concomitant anxiety and depressive symptoms, impact baseline symptom self-reporting on the Post-Concussion Symptoms Scale (PCSS) in college athletes.

METHODS

Athletes were separated into four groups (Healthy Control (HC) (n = 581), Depression Only (n = 136), Anxiety Only (n = 54), Concomitant Depression/Anxiety (n = 62)) based on their anxiety and depression scores. Groups were compared on Total PCSS Score as well as 5 PCSS Symptom Cluster scores (Cognitive, Physical, Affective, Sleep, and Headache).

RESULTS

The three affective groups reported significantly greater symptomatology than HCs, with the Concomitant group showing the highest symptomatology scores across all clusters. The depressive symptoms only group also reported significantly elevated symptomatology, compared to HCs, on every symptom cluster except headache. The anxiety symptoms only group differed from HCs on only the cognitive symptoms cluster. Additionally, the Concomitant group reported significantly increased PCSS symptomatology, in terms of total scores and all 5 symptom clusters, compared to the depressive symptoms only and anxiety symptoms only groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that athletes experiencing concomitant depressive/anxiety symptoms report significantly greater levels of symptomatology across all 5 PCSS symptom clusters compared to HCs. Further, results suggest that athletes experiencing concomitant affective disturbance tend to report greater symptomatology than those with only one affective disturbance. These findings are important because, despite the absence of concussion, the concomitant group demonstrated significantly elevated symptomatology at baseline. Thus, future comparisons with post-concussion data should account for this increased symptomatology, as test results may be skewed by affective disturbances at baseline.

Elevated social anxiety symptoms across childhood and adolescence predict adult mental disorders and cannabis use

AIM

We assessed the heterogeneous development of self-reported social anxiety symptoms across childhood and adolescence (ages 10 to 18; N = 701) and examined whether these groups predicted clinically derived diagnoses of social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), depressive episodes, panic disorder (PD), agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance use in adulthood (ages 19 to 22).

RESULTS

Three distinct social anxiety symptom trajectories were found: a high increasing group (15.5%), a moderate group (37.3%), and a low group (47.2%). The high increasing and moderate trajectory groups were differentiated from the low trajectory group on the adult mental disorders examined: SAD (high OR = 15.74; moderate OR = 11.72), GAD (high OR = 13.08; moderate OR = 8.98), depressive episode (high OR = 19.75), PD (high OR = 8.43; moderate OR = 5.90), agoraphobia (high OR = 16.39; moderate OR = 9.68), and OCD (high OR = 3.49; moderate OR = 2.98). The high and moderate groups were not differentiated on SAD, GAD, PD, or OCD but were differentiated on depressive episodes (OR = 3.24). Relative to the low and moderate trajectory groups, the high increasing social anxiety symptoms trajectory group also predicted cannabis use, but not alcohol use in adulthood. Gender, ethnicity, household income, and parental education were accounted for when predicting adult outcomes.

CONCLUSION

These results highlight the importance of early treatment of symptoms of childhood social anxiety in the prevention of mental health problems in adulthood.

ADHD and ODD Dimensions: Time Varying Prediction of Internalizing Problems from Childhood to Adolescence

OBJECTIVE

Although childhood ADHD is a risk factor for internalizing problems, it consists of separable inattention and hyperactivity dimensions that differentially predict outcomes. Oppositional defiant disorder also consists of separable dimensions (i.e., irritable, oppositional), co-occurs with ADHD, and predicts internalizing outcomes. To discern independent associations with internalizing problems, dimensions must be considered simultaneously.

METHODS

Controlling for age, sex, and race, we tested inattention, hyperactivity, irritability, and oppositionality as time-varying predictors of 6 to 7-year prospective change in parent- and teacher-rated internalizing problems in 230 ethnically- diverse (50% Caucasian) 5 to 10 year old youth (M = 7.4 years, 68% male) with (n = 120) and without ADHD (n = 110).

RESULTS

Escalating inattention and irritability, but not hyperactivity and oppositionality, uniquely predicted internalizing problems.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that inattention and irritability are unique risk factors for later internalizing problems. These dimensions may catalyze internalizing problems across development and constitute important intervention targets.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Youth: Efficacy, Moderators, and New Advances in Predicting Outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review integrates recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. To inform personalized approaches to intervention, we also review recent research on moderators and predictors of outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Meta-analyses provide strong support for the efficacy of CBT for youth anxiety disorders, including with preschool-aged children using appropriate modifications. Furthermore, there is evidence that CBT is an effective adjunct treatment to psychopharmacological interventions, and the combination of treatments may be most effective for some youth. There is limited evidence of consistent demographic and clinical moderators of outcomes. Recent work in neuroscience has highlighted novel predictors of treatment outcomes that, with replication, may aid in more personalized approaches to youth anxiety treatment. CBT is efficacious for treating anxiety disorders in youth and lowering recurrence rates. CBT can also be an efficacious adjunct treatment for psychopharmacological interventions. Neuroimaging and psychophysiological measures of threat and motivational processing have shown initial promise in predicting symptom change with CBT, with potential implications for precision medicine.

The Role of Comorbid Depression in Youth Anxiety Treatment Outcomes

Findings have been mixed regarding the relationship between comorbid depression and anxiety and treatment outcomes for anxious youth. The current study compared a sample of anxious youth with a comorbid depressive disorder (n = 20) and those without comorbid depression (n = 137). All participants received 16 weekly sessions of Coping Cat and completed measures assessing anxiety/depression severity, impairment, and functioning at pretreatment and posttreatment. Results indicated that anxiety-focused CBT is efficacious for anxious youth with and without comorbid depressive disorders, with a higher rate of symptom improvement for youth with comorbid depression during treatment. However, comorbid depression was associated with higher severity at baseline and after treatment. Thus, despite the higher rate of symptom improvement, anxious youth with comorbid depression may benefit from additional treatment to address remaining symptoms.

Anxiety disorders among adolescents and young adults: Prevalence and mental health care service utilization in a regional epidemiological study in Germany

BACKGROUND

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental disorders. While it is known that a majority of individuals with anxiety disorders remains untreated, actual treatment rates for adolescents and young adults in Germany remain largely unknown.

METHODS

As part of the Behavior and Mind Health (BeMIND) study, examining a random community sample of 14-21-year-olds (Dresden; Germany; N = 1,180), the lifetime prevalence for DSM-5 anxiety disorders and lifetime service utilization rates were determined by a standardized interview (DIA-X-5/CIDI).

RESULTS

In the present sample, 23.3 % of adolescents and young adults fulfilled DSM-5 criteria for at least one lifetime anxiety disorder. Of those, 39.1 % used any health care services, most frequently they visited an outpatient psychotherapist/psychologist (23.0 %). Individuals with agoraphobia were most likely to use any in- or outpatient specialized service (64.8 %), while individuals with a specific phobia were least likely (22.3 %). Having a comorbid disorder or being female increased the likelihood of seeking help.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that approximately 2/3 of adolescents and young adults suffering from an anxiety disorder did not seek help and only few report contacts with a psychotherapist. Given the adverse long-term consequences of anxiety disorders, these findings suggest to improve efforts on increasing intervention awareness and treatment possibilities for these individuals.

Psychological Predictors of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Outcomes for Anxiety and Depressive Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

By understanding specific differences between responders to a treatment and non-responders, treatment modalities may be fitted to the individual in order to increase effectiveness, a concept known as "precision medicine". This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated which pretreatment patient and family characteristics may predict the outcome of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in clinically anxious and/or depressed youth. In particular, higher symptom severity, more severe co-occurring anxiety or depression and more severe parental psychopathology were hypothesized to predict a worse CBT outcome.

METHODS

The databases PubMed, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library were searched; 73 publications were included in the review from which 23 studies were used for the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Higher symptom severity represented a clinically relevant predictor of a worse CBT outcome, with large effects estimated by meta-analysis. Further, parental psychopathology was significant and detrimental for CBT outcome in anxious but not depressed youth, while the effects for co-occurring anxiety and depression remained unclear. The additional results of the review show that only few characteristics seemed to be clearly associated with a worse CBT outcome, namely worse coping skills and, restricted to depressed patients, more non-suicidal self-injury.

LIMITATIONS

The available evidence was of only moderate quality in general, further high-quality research with more transparent reporting is needed.

CONCLUSIONS

The patient characteristics identified as being relevant for CBT outcome may represent important candidates for use in single patient prediction models for precision medicine in the field of child and adolescent psychotherapy. The review was preregistered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42018116881).

Are young people with primary social anxiety disorder less likely to recover following generic CBT compared to young people with other primary anxiety disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:

Social anxiety disorder (SoAD) in youth is often treated with a generic form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Some studies have suggested that primary SoAD is associated with lower recovery rates following generic CBT compared with other anxiety disorders.

Aims:

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated recovery rates following generic CBT for youth with primary SoAD versus other primary anxiety disorders.

Method:

Five databases (PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Medline) were searched for randomised controlled trials of generic CBT for child and/or adolescent anxiety.

Results:

Ten trials met criteria for inclusion in the systematic review, six of which presented sufficient data for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Sixty-seven did not report data on recovery rates relative to primary diagnosis. While most individual studies included in the systematic review were not sufficiently powered to detect a difference in recovery rates between diagnoses, there was a pattern of lower recovery rates for youth with primary SoAD. Across the trials included in the meta-analysis, the post-CBT recovery rate from primary SoAD (35%) was significantly lower than the recovery rate from other primary anxiety disorders (54%).

Conclusions:

Recovery from primary SoAD is significantly less likely than recovery from any other primary anxiety disorder following generic CBT in youth. This suggests a need for research to enhance the efficacy of CBT for youth SoAD.

Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis: Impact of Conduct Problem Severity, Comorbid Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Emotional Problems, and Maternal Depression on Parenting Program Effects

OBJECTIVE

There is concern whether established parenting programs for children's conduct problems meet the needs of families with severe and complex mental health problems. For example, many children with conduct problems show comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or emotional problems, or have parents who are depressed, but families with such complex mental health problems typically seen in real life are often underrepresented in evaluation trials. We tested whether children with more severe conduct problems, and those with more complex mental health problems, benefit less from the Incredible Years parenting program, using individual participant data meta-analysis of randomized trials in Europe.

METHOD

In 1,696 families from 13 children aged (child age 2-11 years; 37% girls; 58% low income; 30% ethnic minority; 98% mothers), we used moderator analysis within a multilevel model to test whether initial conduct problem severity, comorbid ADHD or emotional problems, and maternal depression would diminish intervention effects for children's conduct problems.

RESULTS

The Incredible Years program reduced children's conduct problems overall (Cohen's d = -0.35), but more so in children with more severe conduct problems. There was no evidence that children's comorbid ADHD and emotional problems changed the intervention benefits. Children of mothers with more depressive symptoms benefited more.

CONCLUSION

Children with more severe conduct problems derive greater, rather than lesser, benefits from a high-quality group parenting program, and comorbid ADHD and emotional problems do not reduce effects; maternal depression, rather than being linked to less child change, was associated with greater reductions in children's conduct problems.

Incidence of diagnosed pediatric anxiety disorders and use of prescription drugs: a nation-wide registry study

The aim of this study was to calculate time trends in incidence of diagnosed anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and to examine changes in use of prescribed drugs in the Norwegian pediatric population. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate whether comorbid mental disorders are associated with the use of prescribed drugs. Nation-wide registries with data from 2008 to 2015 were used, covering diagnostic data from primary health care [the Norwegian database for the control and reimbursement of health expenses (KUHR)] and secondary health care [the Norwegian Patient registry (NPR)], and data on prescribed drugs [the Norwegian prescription database, (NorPD)]. Data from the two latter were linked. During the period 2010-2015, 19,154 children and adolescents (61% girls) received a first diagnosis of anxiety disorders in primary care. The corresponding number from secondary care was 17,115 (61% girls). The incidence of diagnosed anxiety disorders increased over time, especially in girls, with an overall raise of ~ 2 per 1000 children across 2010-2015. Anti-anxiety drugs were used by < 12% of diagnosed children and < 25% of diagnosed adolescents, mainly by those with several contacts with the specialist health care system. There was no strong indications of an increase over time. Of other drugs, the most frequently prescribed were hypnotics and psychostimulants. Psychiatric comorbidity (33-55%) contributed to the use of drugs, including anti-anxiety drugs. The incidence of diagnosed anxiety disorders increased from 2010 to 2015, but the percentage using anti-anxiety drugs was stable. Drug use appears to be in line with the Norwegian guidelines.

What are the recovery and attrition outcomes for group CBT and individual CBT for generalised anxiety disorder in an IAPT service? An exploratory study

Group cognitive behavioural therapy (gCBT) is commonly used in Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. However, there is limited knowledge of the efficacy of gCBT as a delivery format for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). To address gaps in literature, this study aims to explore the efficacy and attrition of individual and group CBT interventions, respectively, at Step 3 for GAD using data from a routine IAPT service over a 24-month period. Data were retrospectively derived from a routine serviceʼs IAPTus database, separating those eligible for comparison into group (n = 44) and individual (n = 55) CBT for GAD. Outcomes were differences in pre–post self-reported anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9) scores, clinical recovery and attrition for gCBT and individual CBT. Both gCBT and individual CBT yielded significant reductions in self-reported anxiety and depression scores over time. Results indicate that 53% of patients attending individual CBT achieved clinical recovery, with similar but less competitive rates of 41% in gCBT. Attrition rates were similar between gCBT (29.5%) and individual CBT (27.3%), respectively. Preliminary results suggest that both individual and gCBT are effective interventions for GAD patients in IAPT, offering symptom alleviation and comparable recovery and attrition rates post-intervention. This observational design offers credibility and insight into a pragmatic evaluative and explorative comparison. gCBT may offer an acceptable and potentially economical alternative.

Key learning aims

(1)

Social anxiety and age are associated with neural response to social evaluation during adolescence

Adolescence is a sensitive period for the development of adaptive social behaviors and social anxiety, possibly due to aspects of brain development. However, research is needed to examine interactions among age, social anxiety, and social dynamics previously shown to influence neural responding. The current functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study examines brain function in 8-18 year-olds with varying levels of social anxiety. Interactions are examined among age, social anxiety, and two key task factors: valence and predictability of social interactions. Results demonstrate age, social anxiety severity, and each of the two key task-based factors interact to predict neural response in the caudate, middle and superior temporal gyri. In particular, among adolescents less-than 13 years of age, higher social anxiety predicted greater responding to unpredictable negative evaluations. However, in this same age group, the opposite pattern emerged during receipt of unpredictable positive evaluations, with less neural response in more anxious youth. Adolescents aged 13 and older overall showed less robust effects. We discuss these findings in terms of age- and anxiety-related differences in socioemotional processing.

Social support as a predictor of treatment adherence and response in an open-access, self-help, internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy program for child and adolescent anxiety

BACKGROUND

Although self-help, internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) can produce significant reductions in anxiety for many young people, a sizable proportion show low program adherence and continue to show anxiety problems after treatment. It is important that we identify factors that predict those most likely to complete program sessions and benefit from self-help ICBT so that we can better match interventions to individual needs, and inform program design and development.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the role of social support in predicting treatment adherence and outcome among youth enrolled in an open-access, internet-delivered, CBT intervention targeting anxiety.

METHODS

Participants were 3684 young people (aged 7 to 17 years) who reported elevated levels of anxiety symptoms when registering for the program. Treatment adherence was assessed as number of treatment sessions completed. Treatment response was evaluated as change in self-reported anxiety symptoms. Youth-reported social support (from friends, family and a special person) at pre-treatment was examined as a hypothesized predictor of adherence and outcome after controlling for baseline anxiety, gender, and age, with age being examined as a moderator.

RESULTS

Linear regression analyses showed that participants with greater social support, from all sources, tended to show greater program adherence, although the proportion of explained variance was small. Age moderated the effect of family support upon adherence, such that greater family support was associated with greater number of sessions completed only for older youth. Greater family and total support were associated with greater reductions in anxiety, irrespective of participant age, but again the percent of variance explained was small. Younger participants were more likely to complete more sessions and to show greater reductions in anxiety. Those with higher pre-treatment anxiety tended to complete fewer sessions but demonstrated greater reductions in anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight the need to consider ways to enhance treatment adherence and outcome of those engaging in self-help ICBT for youth anxiety problems, particularly when social support is low.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Metacognitive Therapy: Moderators of Treatment Outcomes for Children with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for childhood anxiety disorders, approximately 40% of youth remain anxious after treatment. Metacognitive therapy (MCT-c) for children with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has shown promising effects. The present study aimed to examine if CBT and MCT-c show differential effects in children with primary GAD based on baseline characteristics, in a quasi-experimental design. To investigate which treatment is most beneficial for whom, three potential moderators: age, symptom severity, and comorbid social anxiety were examined. Sixty-three children aged 7-14 completed CBT or MCT-c. Participants were assessed before and after treatment. Both CBT and MCT-c were highly effective in treatment of childhood GAD. None of the selected variables significantly moderated treatment outcomes. Subgroups of children with high symptom severity and social anxiety comorbidity showed trends of responding better to CBT. Methodologically stronger studies are needed to facilitate a better adaptation of treatment for children with GAD.

Exploring the role of the DSM-5 performance-only specifier in adolescents with social anxiety disorder

The DSM-5 social anxiety disorder section has recently added the performance-only specifier for individuals whose anxiety is limited to speaking or performing in public. The impact of the DSM-5 performance-only specifier remains a neglected area. The sample comprised 44 healthy controls and 50 adolescents with a clinical diagnosis of SAD (20% met criteria for the performance-only specifier). Findings revealed that adolescents with the specifier had a later age of onset; lower levels of depression, social anxiety symptomatology and clinical severity; and a lesser degree of comorbidity relative to adolescents with SAD but excluding the performance-only specifier. Specifiers only evidenced higher (cognitive) social anxiety symptomatology compared to healthy controls. Results of this study also suggested that the performance-only specifier may correspond to a mild form of social anxiety disorder. Data also revealed that SAD exists on a continuum of severity among healthy controls, specifier participants, and those with both interactional and performance fears, which is consistent with a dimensional structure for SAD. Finally, findings suggested a unique comorbid pattern for specifiers and those adolescents with SAD but excluding the performance-only specifier. The implications of these findings for the etiology, assessment, classification, and treatment of social anxiety in youth are discussed.

Cognitive behavior therapy for child and adolescent anxiety disorders: an update on recent evidence

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To present an updated review of recent studies into the effect of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, ways to increase access to therapy, and predictors and moderators of therapy effect.

RECENT FINDINGS

The evidence base of CBT for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents continues to grow, demonstrating short and long-term efficacy and effectiveness. However, compared with active control conditions its effect appear to be modest; and a substantial percentage of youth do not show stable long-term remission. Standard CBT is often costly, with high noncompletion rates. New strategies to increase access to effective therapy for the large number of youth with anxiety disorders is therefore of priority. Additionally, there is a need for developing new ways to treat nonresponders, and to identify predictors and moderators of the effects of CBT.

SUMMARY

Although there is evidence for the efficacy and effectiveness of CBT for youth with anxiety disorders, there is doubt regarding its superiority over active control comparisons. Long-term outcome is uncertain, as a substantial percentage of youth remains impaired at follow-up. It is essential to develop more cost-efficient strategies to reach youth with anxiety disorders with effective treatments, and to identify early indicators for youth needing additional therapy.