The Relative Effects of Three Parent-Intervention Components to Reduce Children's Anxiety
1 other identifier
interventional
266
1 country
1
Brief Summary
This trial will test the relative effects of three parent-intervention components to reduce emerging anxiety problems in children aged 7-11. The components are: reducing family accommodation (Component A), increasing empathetic reactions to children's anxiety (Component B), and cognitive restructuring to reduce maladaptive parental thoughts about children's anxiety (Component C). The components were selected based on their distinct theoretical backgrounds and their frequent use in existing intervention programs. The investigators will use a full factorial experiment with all possible combinations and orders of components. The study period will be twelve weeks with five points of data-collection: T0 (baseline), T2 (two weeks post baseline, immediately after the first component), T4 (four weeks post baseline, immediately after the second component), T6 (six weeks post baseline, immediately after the third component) and T12 (12 weeks post baseline, follow-up). Our overarching research questions are:
- How effective are Component A, B, and C in reducing children's anxiety symptoms? The effects of the components will be compared with each other, and with a control condition. This will be investigated both from T0 to T2 (i.e., effects of the individual components) and from T0 to T6 and T0 to T12 (i.e., effects of the components controlled for the presence of other components).
- How effective are the components in reducing children's life impairment? The effects of the components will be compared with each other, and with a control condition.
- Are effects of the components on children's anxiety mediated by changes in the parental risk factors that they target? (i.e., family accommodation for Component A, empathetic reactions for Component B, and parental maladaptive beliefs about child anxiety for Component C)
- Is there a dose-response effect such that children whose parents received more intervention components benefit more in terms of reduced anxiety symptoms in children?
- What parent, child, and intervention characteristics moderate the effects of the components on children's anxiety? In addition to basic sociodemographic information, the investigators will collect data on several putative moderators: the extent to which parents see their child as part of themselves (Inclusion of Child in the Self Scale), children's behavioural inhibition (Behavioural Inhibition Questionnaire), therapist alliance (Session Rating Scale), acceptability of the intervention (TEI-SF), other caregiver's use of the intervention components.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable anxiety
Started Nov 2023
Longer than P75 for not_applicable anxiety
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
Click on a node to explore related trials.
Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
April 19, 2023
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
May 11, 2023
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
November 1, 2023
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
March 13, 2026
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
March 13, 2026
CompletedMay 5, 2026
April 1, 2026
2.4 years
April 19, 2023
April 28, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (5)
Child Anxiety
Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders-NL Parent-version (71 item version but we omitted OCD and PTSS scale and used the remaining 58 items). Higher scores indicate higher anxiety.
Baseline (T0)
Child Anxiety
Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders-NL Parent-version (71 item version but we omitted OCD and PTSS scale and used the remaining 58 items). Higher scores indicate higher anxiety.
Two weeks after baseline (T2)
Child Anxiety
Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders-NL Parent-version (71 item version but we omitted OCD and PTSS scale and used the remaining 58 items). Higher scores indicate higher anxiety.
Four weeks after baseline (T4)
Child Anxiety
Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders-NL Parent-version (71 item version but we omitted OCD and PTSS scale and used the remaining 58 items). Higher scores indicate higher anxiety.
Six weeks after baseline (T6)
Child Anxiety
Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders-NL Parent-version (71 item version but we omitted OCD and PTSS scale and used the remaining 58 items). Higher scores indicate higher anxiety.
Twelve weeks after baseline (T12, follow-up)
Secondary Outcomes (20)
Child Life impairment
Baseline (T0)
Child Life impairment
Two weeks after baseline (T2)
Child Life impairment
Four weeks after baseline (T4)
Child Life impairment
Six weeks after baseline (T6)
Child Life impairment
Twelve weeks after baseline (T12, follow-up)
- +15 more secondary outcomes
Other Outcomes (24)
Child general mental health
Baseline (T0)
Child general mental health
Six weeks after baseline (T6)
Child general mental health
Twelve weeks after baseline (T12, follow-up)
- +21 more other outcomes
Study Arms (34)
Condition 1: 000
NO INTERVENTIONFamilies in this condition will not receive any of the intervention components during study period (T0-T2, T2-T4, T4-T6). Target n = 35.
Condition 2: 0A0
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received no intervention from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component A from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and no intervention from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 3: 00A
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received no intervention from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), no intervention from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component A from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 4: 0AB
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received no intervention from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component A from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component B from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 5: 0AC
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received no intervention from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component A from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component C from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 6: 0B0
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received no intervention from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component B from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and no intervention from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 7: 00B
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received no intervention from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), no intervention from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component B from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 8: 0BA
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received no intervention from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component B from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component A from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 9: 0BC
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received no intervention from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component B from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component C from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 10: 0C0
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received no intervention from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component C from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and no intervention from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 11: 00C
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received no intervention from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), no intervention from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component C from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 12: 0CA
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received no intervention from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component C from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component A from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 13: 0CB
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received no intervention from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component C from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component B from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 14: A00
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component A from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), no intervention from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and no intervention from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 15: A0B
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component A from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), no intervention from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component B from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 16: A0C
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component A from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), no intervention from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component C from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 17: AB0
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component A from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component B from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and no intervention from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 18: ABC
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component A from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component B from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component C from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 19: AC0
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component A from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component C from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and no intervention from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 20: ACB
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component A from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component C from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component B from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 21: B00
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component B from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), no intervention from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and no intervention from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 22: B0A
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component B from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), no intervention from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component A from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 23: B0C
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component B from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), no intervention from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component C from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 24: BA0
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component B from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component A from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and no intervention from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 25: BAC
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component B from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component A from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component C from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 26: BC0
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component B from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component C from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and no intervention from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 27: BCA
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component B from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component C from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component A from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 28: C00
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component C from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), no intervention from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and no intervention from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 29: C0A
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component C from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), no intervention from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component A from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 30: C0B
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component C from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), no intervention from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component B from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 31: CA0
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component C from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component A from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and no intervention from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 32: CAB
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component C from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component A from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component B from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 33: CB0
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component C from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component B from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and no intervention from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Condition 34: CBA
EXPERIMENTALThis intervention condition received Component C from baseline (T0) to the second measurement point two weeks later (T2), Component B from T2 to two weeks later (T4), and Component A from T4 to two weeks later (T6). Target n = 7.
Interventions
All components consist of one online therapist-led session, and 14 daily assignments. In the online session, parents watch an animation clip explaining the technique, and parents perform an exercise guided by the therapist. In the daily assignments, parents reflect on situations in which their child was anxious during the day in which they (could have) applied the technique. If the child was not anxious that day, parents are asked to think about a future or past situation and fill in similar questions. Component A focusses on making parents aware of the process of avoidance in children with anxiety, and helps them to identify situations in which they accommodate to the anxiety of their children. Subsequently, a first step that parents can take to reduce accommodation is discussed.
All components consist of one online therapist-led session, and 14 daily assignments. In the online session, parents watch an animation clip explaining the technique, and parents perform an exercise guided by the therapist. In the daily assignments, parents reflect on situations in which their child was anxious during the day in which they (could have) applied the technique. If the child was not anxious that day, parents are asked to think about a future or past situation and fill in similar questions. Component B tries to increase parents empathetic reactions to their anxious child. This is done by teaching parents to label the emotion of their children, empathize with the emotion, and communicate confidence in the abilities of their child to face the situation.
All components consist of one online therapist-led session, and 14 daily assignments. In the online session, parents watch an animation clip explaining the technique, and parents perform an exercise guided by the therapist. In the daily assignments, parents reflect on situations in which their child was anxious during the day in which they (could have) applied the technique. If the child was not anxious that day, parents are asked to think about a future or past situation and fill in similar questions. Component C consists of cognitive restructuring of parental maladaptive cognitions concerning their child's anxiety. Parents are taught to recognize their own cognitions about the anxiety of their child, challenge this thought and come up with an alternative, helpful thought.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Child aged 7;0 - 11;11 years old
- Score of ≥ 4 on the screening questionnaire "Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale for Youth" (OASIS-Y; Comer et al., 2022) filled in by parents.
You may not qualify if:
- None
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Related Publications (18)
Bodden DH, Bogels SM, Muris P. The diagnostic utility of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders-71 (SCARED-71). Behav Res Ther. 2009 May;47(5):418-25. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2009.01.015. Epub 2009 Jan 30.
PMID: 19230863BACKGROUNDLyneham HJ, Sburlati ES, Abbott MJ, Rapee RM, Hudson JL, Tolin DF, Carlson SE. Psychometric properties of the Child Anxiety Life Interference Scale (CALIS). J Anxiety Disord. 2013 Oct;27(7):711-9. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.09.008. Epub 2013 Sep 26.
PMID: 24135256BACKGROUNDLebowitz ER, Woolston J, Bar-Haim Y, Calvocoressi L, Dauser C, Warnick E, Scahill L, Chakir AR, Shechner T, Hermes H, Vitulano LA, King RA, Leckman JF. Family accommodation in pediatric anxiety disorders. Depress Anxiety. 2013 Jan;30(1):47-54. doi: 10.1002/da.21998. Epub 2012 Sep 10.
PMID: 22965863BACKGROUNDFrancis SE, Chorpita BF. Development and Evaluation of the Parental Beliefs about Anxiety Questionnaire. J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 2010;32(1):138-149. doi:10.1007/s10862-009-9133-5
BACKGROUNDWeisz JR, Vaughn-Coaxum RA, Evans SC, Thomassin K, Hersh J, Ng MY, Lau N, Lee EH, Raftery-Helmer JN, Mair P. Efficient Monitoring of Treatment Response during Youth Psychotherapy: The Behavior and Feelings Survey. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2020 Nov-Dec;49(6):737-751. doi: 10.1080/15374416.2018.1547973. Epub 2019 Jan 18.
PMID: 30657721BACKGROUNDLovibond SH, Lovibond PF. Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. 2nd ed. Psychology Foundation of Australia; 1995.
BACKGROUNDde Beurs E, Van Dyck R, Marquenie LA, Lange A, Blonk RWB. De DASS: Een vragenlijst voor het meten van depressie, angst en stress. [The DASS: A questionnaire for the measurement of depression, anxiety, and stress.]. Gedragstherapie. 2001;34:35-53.
BACKGROUNDDozois DJ, Westra HA. Development of the Anxiety Change Expectancy Scale (ACES) and validation in college, community, and clinical samples. Behav Res Ther. 2005 Dec;43(12):1655-72. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2004.12.001.
PMID: 15922290BACKGROUNDvan der Sterren-Kusters WJC, van der Heijden PT, Egger JIM. Psychometric Properties of the Dutch Anxiety Change Expectancy Scale (ACES-NL). Int J Psychol Psychol Ther. 2017;17:189-198.
BACKGROUNDAron A, Aron EN, Smollan D. Inclusion of Other in the Self Scale and the structure of interpersonal closeness. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1992;63:596-612. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.63.4.596
BACKGROUNDBrummelman E, Thomaes S, Slagt M, Overbeek G, de Castro BO, Bushman BJ. My Child Redeems My Broken Dreams: On Parents Transferring Their Unfulfilled Ambitions onto Their Child. PLoS One. 2013 Jun 19;8(6):e65360. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065360. Print 2013.
PMID: 23840325BACKGROUNDBishop G, Spence SH, McDonald C. Can parents and teachers provide a reliable and valid report of behavioral inhibition? Child Dev. 2003 Nov-Dec;74(6):1899-917. doi: 10.1046/j.1467-8624.2003.00645.x.
PMID: 14669903BACKGROUNDDuncan BL, Miller SD, Sparks JA, et al. The Session Rating Scale: Preliminary Psychometric Properties of a "Working" Alliance Measure. J Brief Ther. 2003;3(1):3-12.
BACKGROUNDKazdin AE. Acceptability of child treatment techniques: The influence of treatment efficacy and adverse side effects. Behav Ther. 1981;12(4):493-506. doi:10.1016/S0005-7894(81)80087-1
BACKGROUNDKelley ML, Heffer RW, Gresham FM, Elliott SN. Development of a modified treatment evaluation inventory. J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 1989;11(3):235-247. doi:10.1007/BF00960495
BACKGROUNDHamilton VE, Matthews JM, Crawford SB. Me as a Parent Questionnaire [Database record]. APA PsycTests. 2015. doi:10.1037/t45911-000
BACKGROUNDGaumer Erickson AS, Soukup JH, Noonan PM, McGurn L. Empathy Formative Questionnaire. College & Career Competency Framework. 2015. https://www.cccframework.org/
BACKGROUNDComer JS, Conroy K, Cornacchio D, Furr JM, Norman SB, Stein MB. Psychometric evaluation of a caregiver-report adaptation of the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) for use with youth populations. J Affect Disord. 2022 Mar 1;300:341-348. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.113. Epub 2021 Dec 31.
PMID: 34979182BACKGROUND
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Karen Rienks, MSc
University of Amsterdam
- STUDY DIRECTOR
Patty Leijten, Dr
University of Amsterdam
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT
- Masking Details
- Participants and researchers will be blinded to condition at enrolment and baseline assessment. Randomization takes place after baseline assessment (T0), by drawing a number (1-34, corresponding to condition 1-34) from a sealed envelope, by a researcher who has no contact with any of the study participants. Care providers cannot be blinded to participants' condition. At T2/4/6/12, Participants will be blinded to the conditions that exist in the study, but are aware of whether they received one or more intervention components. Independent researchers and clinicians blinded to participants' condition and timepoint (T0/6/12) will code video recordings of the parent-child interaction task and parental stories about children's anxiety.
- Purpose
- PREVENTION
- Intervention Model
- FACTORIAL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- PhD Candidate
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
April 19, 2023
First Posted
May 11, 2023
Study Start
November 1, 2023
Primary Completion
March 13, 2026
Study Completion
March 13, 2026
Last Updated
May 5, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-04
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will share
- Shared Documents
- STUDY PROTOCOL, ICF, ANALYTIC CODE
- Time Frame
- After publication of project results
- Access Criteria
- Via UvA Figshare data can be stored and shared on request. Requests are considered by the study officials. Together they decide whether anonymised data can be shared with a third party.
Fully anonymized data will be publicly shared after publication of the project results.