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Study into kids’ anxiety is making headway
A University of the Sunshine Coast psychology research project into a new treatment for anxiety among children aged 9 to 12 is making good headway.
Master of Psychology (Clinical) student Kathryn Wilson said the project had attracted plenty of interest when it was launched earlier this year, and now required more participants to further the research.
Ms Wilson said anxiety was a common difficulty for children and adolescents, with ramifications for social, academic and family functioning well into adulthood.
“This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as an intervention and viable treatment option for reducing childhood anxiety, and to establish whether adding a parental component to treatment improves outcomes,” she said.
Ms Wilson said MBCT was an emerging treatment area for children involving practical exercises to help them focus attention on, and better manage, their thoughts, feelings and body sensations. It also encouraged relaxation.
“I’m hoping this study determines if it’s an alternative treatment option to traditional cognitive behaviour therapy,” she said.
Ms Wilson is in the second year of her Masters at USC and her study is being supervised by USC Senior Lecturer and Psychology Clinic Manager Dr Dixie Statham.
Parents are invited to enter their children and/or themselves into the study, which will be held at the University’s Psychology Clinic at Sippy Downs.
“Children will initially be asked to complete a questionnaire because their anxiety levels will determine their eligibility for the study,” Ms Wilson said.
For more information on the study, contact Kathryn Wilson on 0405 129 672 or at K_W040@student.usc.edu.au.
— Julie Gatehouse and Terry Walsh