Cognitive-behavior therapy with and without parental involvement for anxious Chinese adolescents: A randomized controlled trial

J Fam Psychol. 2020 Apr;34(3):353-363. doi: 10.1037/fam0000585. Epub 2019 Aug 15.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a culturally attuned group cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) intervention for Chinese adolescents at risk for anxiety disorders in Hong Kong and the additive effects of parental involvement. A randomized controlled design was adopted. Assessments were gathered at pre- and posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up. Participants (N = 136) were randomly assigned to (a) CBT plus parental involvement (CBT-PI) (n = 46), (b) CBT (n = 45), and (c) social activity (n = 45) conditions. Data were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle using multilevel modeling. The CBT-PI condition showed a greater reduction in physical injury fears compared with the CBT condition. The current findings suggest that involving parents in CBT for Chinese adolescents with anxiety problems may provide a small improvement in treatment efficacy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy*
  • Child
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Culturally Competent Care / methods
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hong Kong
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Psychotherapy, Group / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult