Abstract:

This study aimed at testing the effectiveness of a school-based cognitive behavioral group psychotherapy (CBGP) in children with elevated anxiety. This randomized controlled study compared pre-test and post-test Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children and Depression Scale for Children scores of the experiment (N = 11) and control groups (N = 11) following a 9-session CBGP. Pre-test scores were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Differences between pre-test and post-test scores were examined using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. There were significant differences in trait, separation, and social anxiety post-test scores in the experiment but not in the control group. The effects of these measures were also high. In both groups, there were no significant differences between panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, school phobia, SCARED total, and depression pre-test and post-test scores. This study provided some evidence on the effectiveness of the school-based CBGP.

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