Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T00:16:28.774Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Assessment and Treatment of Simple Phobias in Children: Effects on Family and Marital Relationships

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

Paula M. Heard
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Queensland
Mark R. Dadds
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Queensland
Paul Conrad
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Queensland
Get access

Abstract

This study evaluated a behavioural treatment package for simple phobias in children using a multiple baseline design across subjects. The participants were three adolescents presenting with a principal DSM-III-R diagnosis of Simple Phobia. One participant also met the criteria for Separation Anxiety Disorder. Results showed marked improvement (at posttreatment and 3 months follow-up) of the anxiety for all three adolescents, both at overt-behavioural and cognitive levels with no negative effects on family and dyadic adjustment. Theoretical considerations and prognoses are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Achenbach, T.M., & Edelbrock, C. (1983). Manual for the Child Behaviour Checklist and Revised CBL (2nd ed.). Burlington: Department of Psychiatry, University of Belmont.Google Scholar
American Psychiatric Association. (1987). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed. rev.). Washington, DC: Author.Google Scholar
Carlson, C.L., Figueroa, R.G., & Lahey, B.B. (1986). Behavior therapy of childhood disorders. In Gittelman, R. (Ed.), Anxiety disorders of childhood, (pp. 204232) New York: Guilford.Google Scholar
Dadds, M.R. (1989). Child behavior therapy and family context: Research and clinical practice with maritally distressed families. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 11, 2743.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dadds, M.R., Heard, P.M., & Rapee, R.M. (1991). Anxiety disorders in children. International Review of Psychiatry, 3, 231241.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Giebenhain, J.E., & O'Dell, S.L. (1984). Evaluation of a parent training manual for reducing children's fears of the dark. Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis, 17, 121125.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Graziano, A.M., Mooney, K.C., & Ignasiak, D. (1979). Self-control instructions for children's fear reduction. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 10, 221227.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hersen, M., & Barlow, D.H. (1976). Single case experimental designs. New York: Pergamon.Google Scholar
Kendall, P.C., Howard, B.L., & Epps, J. (1988). The anxious child: Cognitive behavioral treatment strategies. Behavior Modification, 12, 281310.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
King, N.J., Hamilton, D.I., & Ollendick, T.H. (1988). Children's phobias: A behavioural perspective. Chichester: Wiley.Google Scholar
Mansdorf, I.J., & Lukens, E. (1987). Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for separation anxious children exhibiting school phobia. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 26, 222225.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Meichenbaum, D.H., & Goodman, J. (1971). Training impulsive children to talk to themselves: A means of developing self-control. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 77, 115126.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Miller, L.C., Barrett, C.L., Hampe, E. (1974). Phobias of childhood in a prescientific era. In Davids, A. (Ed.), Child Personality and Psychopathology: Current Topics, (pp. 89134) New York: John Wiley.Google Scholar
Moos, R.H., & Moos, B. (1974). Family Environment Scale. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press Inc.Google Scholar
Ollendick, T.H., & Francis, G. (1988). Behavioral assessment and treatment of childhood phobias. Behavior Modification, 12, 165204.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ollendick, T.H., King, N.J., & Frary, R.B. (1989). Fears in children and adolescent: Reliability and generalizability across gender, age and nationality. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 27, 1926.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Puig-Antich, J., Orvaschel, M., Tabrizi, R.N., & Chambers, W.J. (1986). Schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia for school-age children. New York: New York State Psychiatric Institute.Google Scholar
Reynolds, C.R., & Paget, K.D. (1981). Factor analysis of the Revised Childrens Manifest Anxiety Scale for blacks, whites, males and females with a national innovative sample. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 49, 352359.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spanier, G.B. (1976). Measuring dyadic adjustment — New scales for assessing quality of marriage and similar dyads. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 38, 1528.CrossRefGoogle Scholar