The Unique Impact of Parent Training for Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children

This investigation examined the preliminary efficacy of an integrated cognitive-behavioral parent-training protocol for six families of separation-anxious children (7 to 10 years of age) using a multiple baseline design across participants. Although families were assessed on child, parent, and clinician ratings at pre- and posttreatment as well as 6-month follow-up, only parents received education and training. Although the parent-training protocol was largely effective and treatment gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up, only those child participants whose parents experienced clinically significant improvement on parental process measures (i.e., enhanced efficacy or satisfaction, reduced stress) achieved high end-state functioning. Implications regarding the importance of individualized family-based interventions for treating anxious youth are discussed.