Internet-Delivered Parenting Program for Prevention and Early Intervention of Anxiety Problems in Young Children: Randomized Controlled Trial

Amy J Morgan; Ronald M Rapee; Agus Salim; Nahal Goharpey; Elli Tamir; Lauren F McLellan; Jordana K Bayer

doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2017.02.010

Internet-Delivered Parenting Program for Prevention and Early Intervention of Anxiety Problems in Young Children: Randomized Controlled Trial

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017 May;56(5):417-425.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2017.02.010. Epub 2017 Mar 11.

Authors

Amy J Morgan¹, Ronald M Rapee², Agus Salim³, Nahal Goharpey⁴, Elli Tamir⁴, Lauren F McLellan², Jordana K Bayer⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
³ School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, La Trobe University.
⁴ School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁵ School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, and University of Melbourne.

PMID: 28433091
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2017.02.010

Abstract

Objective: The Cool Little Kids parenting group program is an effective intervention for preventing anxiety disorders in young children who are at risk because of inhibited temperament. The program has six group sessions delivered by trained psychologists to parents of 3- to 6-year-old children. An online adaptation (Cool Little Kids Online) has been developed to overcome barriers to its wide dissemination in the community. This study tested the efficacy of Cool Little Kids Online in a randomized controlled trial.

Method: A total of 433 parents of a child aged 3 to 6 years with an inhibited temperament were randomized to the online parenting program or to a 24-week waitlist. The online program has 8 interactive modules providing strategies that parents can implement with their child to manage their child's avoidant coping, reduce parental overprotection, and encourage child independence. Parents were provided telephone consultation support with a psychologist when requested. Parents completed self-report questionnaires at baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks after baseline.

Results: The intervention group showed significantly greater improvement over time in child anxiety symptoms compared to the control group (d = 0.38). The intervention group also showed greater reductions in anxiety life interference (ds = 0.33-0.35) and lower rates of anxiety disorders than the control group (40% versus 54%), but there were minimal effects on broader internalizing symptoms or overprotective parenting.

Conclusion: Results provide empirical support for the efficacy of online delivery of the Cool Little Kids program. Online dissemination may improve access to an evidence-based prevention program for child anxiety disorders. Clinical trial registration information-Randomised Controlled Trial of Cool Little Kids Online: A Parenting Program to Prevent Anxiety Problems in Young Children; http://www.anzctr.org.au/; 12615000217505.

Keywords: Internet; anxiety disorders; parenting; prevention.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Anxiety Disorders / prevention & control*
Child
Child, Preschool
Early Intervention, Educational / methods*
Female
Humans
Internet
Male
Parenting / psychology*
Parents / psychology*
Phobia, Social / psychology*
Program Development / methods
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Temperament