Evaluating a program to prevent anxiety in children of anxious parents: a randomized controlled trial

• DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.14151
• Publication Date: 2025-03-13T04:59:15Z
• Authors: Sigrid Elfström; Anna Rosengren; Rebecca Andersson; Johanna Engelbrek...; Albin Isaksson; Micaela Meregalli; Livia van Leuven; Maria Lalouni; Lars‐Göran Öst; Ata Ghaderi; Johan Åhlén

Background Pediatric anxiety disorders are prevalent, particularly among children with anxious parents. This trial evaluated a program for parents aimed at preventing offspring and symptoms over 12 months. Methods parallel, randomized, controlled, open‐label was conducted Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Inclusion criteria comprised heightened parental the child (5–9 years old) not currently meeting an disorder. The program, Confident Parents–Brave Children (CPBC) involves six video conferencing group sessions. An external researcher randomly allocated (1:1) participants to CPBC or self‐help control. primary outcome change in clinical severity ratings (CSR) between pre‐ 12‐month assessments, assessed by Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule. Secondary outcomes included parent‐rated self‐efficacy. study preregistered ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04722731). Results 215 (91% female) 277 (48% girls, mean age 7.0). At assessment, no statistically significant difference found conditions on (change CSR), OR = 0.67 (95% CI: 0.30, 1.48). No significantly lower prevalence of disorder assessment compared control group, 0.57 0.24, 1.31). When stratifying age, 5–6 showed risk increased CSR, 0.24 0.08, 0.77), diagnosis, 0.23 0.05, 0.84), controls. Regarding secondary outcomes, exhibited larger decreases than from Cohen's d .35 0.15, 0.55). Parents both self‐efficacy time, between‐group effect. completed 204 (95%). Conclusions may have potential young children; however, further research is warranted.