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Methodological Issues in Treatment Research for Anxiety Disorders in Youth

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Abstract

This article identifies and addresses three methodological domains relevant to the treatment of anxiety disorders in youth: (a) procedural matters, (b) the assessment of anxious distress, and (c) the analysis of treatment-produced change. Procedural topics include the need to manualize treatment, have diversity among participants and comparability of the duration of treatment and control conditions, and control for medication status. Multiple-method measurement issues include child and parent reports, observations, and structured interviewing. Our examination of change issues considers comorbidity, analyzing the intent-to-treat sample, treatment “spillover,” and clinical as well as statistical significance. Problems are identified and potential ameliorative strategies are offered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Temple University, Weiss Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19122

    Philip C. Kendall

  2. Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Ellen C. Flannery-Schroeder

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  1. Philip C. Kendall
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  2. Ellen C. Flannery-Schroeder
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Kendall, P.C., Flannery-Schroeder, E.C. Methodological Issues in Treatment Research for Anxiety Disorders in Youth. J Abnorm Child Psychol 26, 27–38 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022630706189

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