The results of a targeted open trial of the Fun FRIENDS combined with a concurrent parent-based intervention

Fisak, Brian; Guajardo, Julia Gallegos; Verreynne, Marnize; Barrett, Paula M.

doi:10.1016/j.mhp.2018.03.001

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Rapee (2013) found that girls were less likely to meet criteria than boys. Five of six studies found a significant reduction in child anxiety symptoms from parent-reported measures (Barrett et al, 2015; Donovan et al, 2015; Farrell et al, 2018; Fisak et al, 2018; Jarosz and Bayer, 2019; Rapee, 2013). All four studies found significant improvements in general internalising symptoms (Barrett et al, 2015; Donovan et al, 2015; Fisak et al, 2018; Jarosz and Bayer, 2019).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For the five child-focused group programmes, two studies evaluated the Fun FRIENDS programme, which comprised 10 group sessions of play-based activities for children with an anxiety disorder (Barrett et al, 2015) or any internalising symptoms (Fisak et al, 2018). The Shy intervention was an intensive CBT-based programme for children experiencing social phobia, which included combined and separate child and caregiver groups (Donovan et al, 2015).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Targeted community-based programmes for children’s mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Australian literature

Savaglio

Yap

O’Donnell

et al. 2022

Aust N Z J Psychiatry

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Objective: No synthesis of the Australian evidence regarding targeted prevention and early intervention for mental health concerns among young children exists. This review aimed to (1) describe the types of targeted community-based mental health programmes evaluated in Australia to support children aged 1–9 years exhibiting internalising and/or externalising symptoms and (2) examine their impact on children’s internalising and externalising symptoms and disorder diagnosis. Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted (PROSPERO: CRD42021255257). Four databases (PsycINFO, PsycArticles, MEDLINE and CINAHL) were searched for Australian studies published in the past 10 years that quantitatively evaluated the impact of a targeted programme on children’s mental health. The National Institute of Health Quality Assessment Tools were used to evaluate the study quality. Results: Forty-two studies were included; the majority (67%) were medium quality. The mean sample size was 142 (SD = 170), children’s average age was 5.78 years (SD = 2.44) and 58% were male. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were underrepresented. Studies evaluated 16 programmes that targeted (1) externalising symptoms ( n = 20 studies, n = 6 programmes), (2) internalising symptoms ( n = 14 studies, n = 7 programmes) or (3) both, termed transdiagnostic programmes ( n = 8 studies, n = 3 programmes). Externalising programmes achieved a significant moderate mean reduction in externalising behaviours (standardised mean differences = −0.56), internalising programmes yielded a small mean improvement in anxiety symptoms (standardised mean differences = −0.25) and 57% reduced odds of anxiety disorder diagnosis. Evidence supporting transdiagnostic programmes was inconclusive. Conclusion: Parenting-focused programmes targeting young children’s internalising or externalising behaviours have the largest local evidence base supporting their effectiveness. Limitations include a lack of engagement with fathers, triangulation of outcomes, homogeneity and implementation reporting. Greater implementation and evaluation of community-driven integrated and systemic approaches that identify, engage and support Australia’s most disadvantaged cohorts of young children and their families are needed.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Targeted community-based programmes for children’s mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Australian literature

Savaglio

Yap

O’Donnell

et al. 2022

Aust N Z J Psychiatry

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“…This program focuses on reducing anxiety symptoms and promoting protective factors against the onset of future psychopathology. Recent studies have demonstrated feasibility and positive effects of the program in Australia (Anticich et al, 2013; Barrett et al, 2015; Carlyle, 2014; Fisak et al, 2018; Pahl & Barret, 2010), Brazil (Garcia et al, 2019; Rivero et al, 2020), Mexico (Gallegos-Guajardo et al, 2020, 2013), and the Netherlands (Van der Mheen et al, 2020). Interestingly, a study conducted in Japan using Fun FRIENDS with older children found minimal effects, highlighting the limits of this program among older youth (Kato & Shimizu, 2017) and the need for research in other countries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Ounce of Prevention: Building resilience and targeting anxiety in young children

Lewis

Barrett

Freitag

et al. 2022

Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry

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Background Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders in childhood and can develop as early as the preschool years. Therefore, providing young children who display early signs of anxiety with skills to prevent the development of later psychopathology is invaluable. The current study evaluates the effectiveness of Fun FRIENDS, an anxiety prevention and resilience program for young children. Method Fifty-seven kindergartners across three classrooms participated in a 15-week anxiety prevention program and teachers completed a behavioral screening measure and anxiety questionnaire at pre, post, 3 month, and 10-month follow-up assessment points. Results Anxiety positively correlated with emotional symptoms , peer difficulties, and total difficulties at pre-intervention. Anxiety symptoms decreased from pre-intervention to follow-up. Additionally, prosocial behaviors improved and moderated the relationship between pre-and post-intervention anxiety symptoms. Conclusions These findings yield promising implications regarding the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs on increasing social emotional skills and reducing anxiety symptoms in young children.

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“…Until now, only two studies have examined the effectiveness of Fun FRIENDS delivered as a preventive program (Anticich et al, 2013; Pahl & Barrett, 2010). In addition, three studies have studied the outcomes of Fun FRIENDS delivered as a treatment program for young children with clinical internalising symptoms or anxiety disorders (Barrett, Fisak, & Cooper, 2015; Carlyle, 2014; Fisak, Gallegos-Guarjardo, Verreynne, & Barrett, 2018).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These results were maintained at 12-month follow-up. The third treatment study was also an open trial targeting young children ( N = 178, age range 5–7, mean age = 5.27, SD = 0.93) with internalising symptoms (Fisak et al, 2018). Their parents simultaneously received a resilience-building program (Barrett, 2012a, 2012b).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Young Children: A Dutch Open Trial of the Fun FRIENDS Program

et al. 2019

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Anxiety disorders in young children are highly prevalent and increase the risk of social, school, and familial problems, and also of psychiatric disorders in adolescence and adulthood. Nevertheless, effective interventions for this age group are lacking. One of the few available interventions is the Fun FRIENDS program. We examined whether young children with anxiety disorders showed less anxiety after participating in Fun FRIENDS. Twenty-eight clinically anxious children (4–8 years old) participated in the cognitive behavioural Fun FRIENDS program. The program consists of 12 weekly 1.5-hour sessions and was provided in groups of 3 to 5 children. At preintervention and direct postintervention, parents completed the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Children and Child Behavior Checklist. Clinically and statistically significant decreases were found in number of anxiety disorders, symptom interference, emotional and behavioural problems, internalising problems, and anxiety problems. The decrease in anxious/depressed problems and externalising problems was not significant. Furthermore, higher preintervention anxiety levels predicted more treatment progress, whereas sex and age did not. The Dutch version of Fun FRIENDS is promising in treating anxiety disorders in young children. Randomised controlled trials are needed to draw definite conclusions on the effectiveness of Fun FRIENDS in a clinical setting.

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The results of a targeted open trial of the Fun FRIENDS combined with a concurrent parent-based intervention

Cited by 10 publications

References 36 publications

Targeted community-based programmes for children’s mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Australian literature

Targeted community-based programmes for children’s mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Australian literature

An Ounce of Prevention: Building resilience and targeting anxiety in young children

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Young Children: A Dutch Open Trial of the Fun FRIENDS Program

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