Research shows that many children face anxiety and stress related problems. However, as much as 70-80% of children do not receive help. The aim of this project is to offer a training for children who are hindered by their shyness or fears, so that all children can develop freely without being held back and so that the risk of escalation of fear and stress in the long term can be prevented. In this project the prevention training 'Learn to Dare!' will be offered to children between the ages of 8 and 18 where the long-term outcomes and the program itself will be evaluated for attractiveness and satisfaction. With the evidence-based program 'Learn to Dare!\' children between the ages of 8 and 12 learn to stand up for themselves in a safe environment, to face the situations that they find exciting and to be more confident in their own abilities. This project aims to adapt the program so that it can be available up to and including 18 years in the future.
Participants are recruited via the 'Knowledge Centre Anxiety and Stress in youth' (KAS) telephone line, by a research assistant or via the waiting list of LUBEC. Following recruitment, a research assistant conducts a screening call with the parent(s) lasting approximately half an hour to determine the child\'s eligibility for the project. Subsequently, the research assistant collaborates with a therapist from KAS/LUBEC to evaluate the case. If both agree that the child meets the criteria of the \'Learn to Dare!\' program, the research assistant proceeds to conduct a diagnostic interview with both the child and parents. When the child still meets the requirements for \'Learn to Dare!\', the therapist from LUBEC, who is going to give the trainings, will do an intake with the child and parents. When the child still meets the criteria after this intake, a subsequent appointment will take place at LUBEC in Leiden, that serves as an opportunity for parents and children to familiarize themselves with the therapist and complete the baseline 1 measurement. This appointment will take about 1,5-2 hours. Two research assistants will administer questionnaires to the parent(s) and the child: demographics questionnaire, SCARED, CDI, WIRK-ALL. In addition, they will administer the anxiety scale of the SCID in combination with the ADIS severity index to the parent(s) and the child. After baseline 1, there will be a waiting period of 4 weeks. After this period, the child and parents complete the SCARED questionnaire online (30 minutes) before commencing the treatment phase. The treatment comprises eight group sessions of \'Learn to Dare!\' (one session per week; 1.5 hours each) along with assigned homework. After those eight weeks of treatment, the post-treatment session will take place at LUBEC (1,5-2 hours). The therapist will meet with the child and the parent(s) to evaluate the treatment together. The research assistants will administer the anxiety scale of the SCID in combination with the ADIS severity index to the parent(s) and the child. In addition, a couple of questionnaires will be administered: SCARED, CDI, WIRK-ALL, Training Evaluation Questionnaire. Lastly, there will be three follow-ups 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment (1,5 hours per follow-up). Parents have the option to conduct these follow-ups either at LUBEC or online. The anxiety scale of the SCID, along with the severity index of the ADIS questionnaire, is administered, along with supplementary questionnaires: SCARED, CDI, WIRK-ALL.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
48
'Leer te Durven!' is an eight-week preventative group training for children between the ages of 8 and 12. This training is evidence-based and is based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. With this program children learn to stand up for themselves in a safe environment, to face the situations that they find exciting and to be more confident in their own abilities. The training consists, among other things, of psychoeducation, exposure, and relaxation.
Leiden University
Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands
RECRUITINGChange in anxiety severity in children (SCARED-child)
The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) will be administered to the children. Scores on the SCARED range between 0-142. A higher score means higher anxiety levels.
Time frame: During baseline 1, baseline 2, post-training, and the follow-ups (6, 12, and 24 months after the training)
Change in anxiety severity in children (SCARED-parent)
The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) will be administered to the parents. Scores on the SCARED range between 0-142. A higher score means higher anxiety levels.
Time frame: During baseline 1, baseline 2, post-training, and the follow-ups (6, 12, and 24 months after the training)
Change in severity of anxiety in children (SCID-parent)
Severity of anxiety will be assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID) in combination with the severity index (Clinician Severity Rating) of the Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule (ADIS-V). The CSR-score is a score between 0 and 8, with higher scores indicating a higher severity and interference of anxiety. The SCID will be administered to the parents.
Time frame: From baseline to the end of the training and follow-up (6, 12, and 24 months post-training).
Change in severity of anxiety in children (SCID-child)
Severity of anxiety will be assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID) in combination with the severity index (Clinician Severity Rating) of the Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule (ADIS-V). The CSR-score is a score between 0 and 8, with higher scores indicating a higher severity and interference of anxiety. The SCID will be administered to the children.
Time frame: From baseline to the end of the training and follow-up (6, 12, and 24 months post-training).
Change in self-efficacy of the children (WIRK-ALL child version)
The WIRK-all will be administered to the children to assess their change in self-efficacy. The WIRK-ALL is a short questionnaire and is an adaptation of the General Self-Efficacy Scale. The scores on the WIRK-ALL range between 10 and 40, with higher scores indicating higher self-efficacy.
Time frame: From baseline to the end of the training and follow-up (6, 12, and 24 months post-training).
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