Prevention of Anxiety and Depression in Children: Acceptability and Feasibility of the Transdiagnostic EMOTION Program

Anxiety and depression are common psychological difficulties among children who have negative effects on multiple life domains. The two disorders co-occur at high rates and programs that target both disorders offer an important advancement in indicated prevention. EMOTION: “Coping Kids” Managing Anxiety and Depression is a transdiagnostic intervention (Ehrenreich-May & Chu, 2014) to reduce the likelihood of the development of an anxiety and/or depressive disorder. EMOTION integrates the core components of empirically supported treatments for youth with anxiety and youth with depression, and targets common underlying processes. The current project examined the acceptability and feasibility of this indicated intervention in a school setting. We report on recruitment strategies, attendance rates, and user satisfaction. We also examined and report on possible stigma associated with participating in an indicated intervention in a school.