Title

Mediators and Moderators of Outcome in the Behavioral Treatment of Childhood Social Phobia

Authors

Authors

C. A. Alfano; A. A. Pina; I. K. Villalta; D. C. Beidel; R. T. Ammerman;L. E. Crosby

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatr.

Keywords

social phobia; treatment; mediators; moderators; RANDOMIZED CLINICAL-TRIAL; ANXIETY DISORDERS; PANIC DISORDER; PEER; RELATIONS; COGNITIVE MEDIATION; ADOLESCENTS; CHILDREN; THERAPY; PSYCHOPATHOLOGY; PREDICTORS; Psychology, Developmental; Pediatrics; Psychiatry

Abstract

Objective: The current study examined mediators and moderators of treatment response among children and adolescents (ages 7-17 years) with a primary diagnosis of social phobia. Method: Participants were 88 youths participating in one of two randomized controlled treatment trials of Social Effectiveness Therapy for Children. Potential mediators included changes in observer-rated social skill and child-reported loneliness after 12 weeks of Social Effectiveness Therapy for Children. Age and depressive symptoms were examined as potential moderators. Results: Loneliness scores and social effectiveness during a role-play task predicted changes in social anxiety and overall functioning at posttreatment. Changes in social anxiety were mediated by child-reported loneliness. Outcomes were not moderated by age or depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Findings support the role of loneliness as an important mechanism of change during treatment for childhood social phobia. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2009;48(9):945-953.

Journal Title

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Volume

48

Issue/Number

9

Publication Date

1-1-2009

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

945

Last Page

953

WOS Identifier

WOS:000269322300010

ISSN

0890-8567

Share

COinS