Development of an intervention to support parents receiving treatment in psychiatric inpatient hospital using participatory design methods.

Introduction: When parents of dependent children are treated in psychiatric inpatient hospital, it typically involves separation of parent and child for the duration of treatment, which can be highly distressing to the dyad and can result in disruption to the parent-child relationship. Parents who have experienced hospitalisation have expressed a desire for their parenting identity to be recognized and appropriately engaged with during their treatment. This recognition includes provision of interventions which support them as parents to limit the impact of their mental health on their children. The current study, the first of its kind known to have taken place, details a collaborative intervention development project for parents receiving inpatient care. Methods: The current study, the first of its kind known to have taken place, details a collaborative intervention development project for parents receiving inpatient care. This project involved the adaptation and extension of a prior parenting-focused course for parents high in anxiety to meet the needs of parents being treated in inpatient settings. In the first two stages of the three-phase project, patients, carers and mental health practitioners contributed to the revision and delivery plan for the course including developing new content for the intervention. In the final stage, which took the form of a participatory evaluation, the intervention was delivered to 11 parents receiving inpatient treatment who then provided extensive feedback. A series of iterative adaptations to the intervention were made in response to this feedback alongside stakeholder input. Results: The final intervention comprises five modules focused on exploring the experience of parents alongside specific learning and skills orientated toward boosting their connection with their children during hospitalisation and in readiness for discharge. Preliminary feedback from patients and ward staff has been positive and the process of delivering the project on inpatient wards was associated with no increase in negative clinical outcomes. Discussion: The successful development of a targeted intervention within inpatient psychiatric units offers a signal that parents treated in this setting welcome the opportunity to be supported in their parenting role. As the first known UK intervention of its kind to be developed in partnership with patients, ward staff and management, it is specifically tailored to the context and needs of this group with the potential to be delivered by a range of health professionals in this setting.

Investigating the effect of providing monetary incentives to participants on completion rates of referred co-respondents: An embedded randomized controlled trial.

Background: The use of a second informant (co-respondent) is a common method of identifying potential bias in outcome data (e.g., parent-report child outcomes). There is, however, limited evidence regarding methods of increasing response rates from co-respondents. The use of financial incentives is associated with higher levels of engagement and follow-up data collection in online surveys. This study investigated whether financial incentives paid to index participants in an online trial of a parenting-focused intervention, would lead to higher levels of co-respondent data collection. Methods: A study within a trial (SWAT) using a parallel group RCT design. Participants in the host study (an RCT of an online intervention) were randomised into one of two SWAT arms: received/did not receive a £15 voucher when referred co-respondent completed baseline measures. Primary outcome was completion (No/Yes) of Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS or SCAS-Pre) at baseline. Additional analysis explored impact of incentives on data quality. Results: Intention to treat analysis of 899 parents (183 co-respondents) in the no-incentive arm, and 911 parents (199 co-respondents) in incentive arm. Nomination of co-respondents was similar between incentive arms. The RR for the incentive arm compared to the no incentive arm was 1.13 (95% CI: 0.91 to 1.41, p = 0.264) indicating that incentives did not impact completion of outcomes by consented co-respondents. There were no indications of different data quality between arms. Discussion: The finding that payment of financial incentives to index participant does not lead to greater levels of co-respondent outcome completion suggests that careful consideration should be made before allocating resources in this way in future trials. Trial registration: The host study was registered at Study Record | ClinicalTrials.gov and the SWAT study was registered in the SWAT Store | The Northern Ireland Network for Trials Methodology Research (qub.ac.uk): SWAT number 143: Filetoupload,1099612,en.pdf (qub.ac.uk).

"I think it is woven through me, and sadly that means it is woven through our family life": the experiences and support needs of mothers with eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders may disrupt parenting, and there is evidence to suggest that the children of parents with eating disorders are at greater risk for the development of eating disorders themselves. This study sought to broaden and extend current understandings of the lived experiences of mothers who have eating disorders. METHOD: A qualitative study using thematic analysis was conducted. Eighteen mothers living in the UK, USA, and Australia took part in semi-structured online interviews. Participants were mothers to at least one child aged two years or older, had received a lifetime diagnosis of one or more eating disorders, and reported experiencing symptoms since becoming a parent. RESULTS: Data were analysed using an inductive approach to reflexive thematic analysis. Four major themes, each with subthemes, were identified. These were: parenthood as a double-edged sword; the eating disorder impacts on parenting; blame and burden; and seeking support. CONCLUSIONS: The lived experiences of mothers indicate a complex relationship between eating disorders and parenthood. While parenting can impact eating disorders, eating disorders can also impact parenting, in a range of ways that extend beyond the domains of food, eating and the body. There is a pressing need for the development of specialised, non-judgemental support options for parents with eating disorders and their families.

Many adults with eating disorders are parents. Previous research studies suggest that these parents may experience particular challenges in relation to parenting, and that their children may be at greater risk of developing eating disorders themselves. We interviewed eighteen mothers who had at some point in their life been diagnosed with an eating disorder, and had experienced symptoms since becoming a parent. Interview data were analysed and four themes were identified to describe the lived experiences of mothers who have eating disorders. These themes, which we refer to as 'parenthood as a double-edged sword', 'the eating disorder impacts on parenting', 'blame and burden', and 'seeking support' suggest a complex relationship between eating disorders and being a parent. Parenting can impact eating disorders, and eating disorders can also impact parenting. The mothers who participated in our study also identified unique challenges when seeking treatment, and there is a need for support options to be developed specifically for parents with eating disorders, and for their families.

Psychiatric in-patients who are parents: what interventions are tailored to their needs and how do they experience care? A systematic review and data synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the experiences of parents who are in receipt of in-patient psychiatric care or about what interventions are employed to support them in their parenting role. AIMS: The objective of the current study is to review two complementary areas of research: (a) research examining interventions developed to support the parent-child relationship within these settings; and (b) research focused on the experience of parents in in-patient settings. METHOD: For studies reporting on parents' experience, qualitative accounts of past or present psychiatric in-patients (child aged 1-18 years) were included. For intervention studies, the intervention had to focus on supporting the parenting role and/or the parent-child dyad of parents (child aged 1-18 years) in current receipt of in-patient care. Four bibliographic databases (PubMed, SCOPOS, Web of Science and PsychINFO) were searched for relevant published and unpublished literature from 1 January 1980 to 26 July 2022. Intervention studies were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Qualitative papers were assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. Data were extracted using tools designed for the study. Qualitative data were synthesised using thematic analysis. The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (reference CRD42022309065). RESULTS: Twenty-four papers (eight intervention studies and 16 studies examining parent experience) were included in the review. In-patient parents commonly reported hospital admission as having a negative impact on their parenting. Very few robust reports of interventions designed to support parents in receipt of psychiatric in-patient care were found. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the identified need for support by parents who are receiving in-patient care, there is currently no intervention of this nature running in the UK health service.

Investigating the effect of providing monetary incentives to participants on completion rates of referred co-respondents: An embedded randomized controlled trial. Study within a trial (SWAT) protocol.

Background: Parent-report questionnaires are a common method of generating data on child outcomes in mental health studies. A second report from another person who knows the child (co-respondent) is implemented to reduce bias and increase objectivity. The success of this approach is dependent on the engagement of co-respondents, which can be difficult. Financial incentives are used to increase data return in clinical trials, and to promote referral rates in online marketing. This protocol describes the use of an embedded randomised controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the effect of financial incentives on rates of co-respondent data completion. In the host RCT (of an online intervention designed to reduce the impact of a parent's anxiety on their child) index participants (i.e. parents) are asked to invite a co-respondent to complete measures on the index child. This study will test the hypothesis that providing monetary incentives to index participants will increase the outcome measure completion rate of co-respondents. Methods: Embedded RCT of two parallel groups. Participants in the intervention arm will be sent a £10 voucher if their chosen co-respondent completes online baseline measures. Participants in the control arm will not be offered payment regardless of their chosen co-respondent's behaviour. 1754 participants will take part. Analysis will compare co-respondent outcome measure completion rates between the two arms at baseline and follow-up. Conclusion: Findings from this study will provide evidence on the impact of offering payment to index participants on return rates of co-respondent data. This will inform resource allocation within future clinical trials.

Preventing anxiety in the children of anxious parents - feasibility of a brief, online, group intervention for parents of one- to three-year-olds.

BACKGROUND: The evidence suggests an increased risk of developing anxiety problems in children of anxious parents. The current study explored the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention with anxious parents of young children, to inform the possibility of further trials. METHODS: Participants were recruited through primary and secondary care psychological services and social media. Participants who had a current or recent anxiety disorder and a child aged 12-47 months were included. Assessments of parental and child outcomes occurred at baseline, after the intervention (week-2) and follow-up (week-8). The intervention was delivered in a small group format, in two sessions, one week apart, using videoconferencing. RESULTS: Out of 32 participants, 30 (94%) attended the full intervention. All found the intervention acceptable and reported it as useful and relevant. There was a reduction in parental depression (MD = 2.63, 95%CI 1.01-4.26), anxiety (MD = 3.93, 95%CI 2.49-5.37) and stress (MD = 4.60, 95% CI 3.02-6.18) and increases in parenting confidence. CONCLUSIONS: The online group intervention was feasible and acceptable. There were moderate to large effects on parental mental health and no adverse effects on children (decline on outcome measures). This indicates that intervening early in parenting with anxious parents is possible and warrants further investigation to establish prevention efficacy with a larger, controlled trial.

Effectiveness of a Web-Based Intervention to Prevent Anxiety in the Children of Parents With Anxiety: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is the most common childhood mental health condition and is associated with impaired child outcomes, including increased risk of mental health difficulties in adulthood. Anxiety runs in families: when a parent has anxiety, their child has a 50% higher chance of developing it themselves. Environmental factors are predominant in the intergenerational transmission of anxiety and, of these, parenting processes play a major role. Interventions that target parents to support them to limit the impact of any anxiogenic parenting behaviors are associated with reduced anxiety in their children. A brief UK-based group intervention delivered to parents within the UK National Health Service led to a 16% reduction in children meeting the criteria for an anxiety disorder. However, this intervention is not widely accessible. To widen access, a 9-module web-based version of this intervention has been developed. This course comprises psychoeducation and home practice delivered through text, video, animations, and practice tasks. OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to evaluate the feasibility of delivering this web-based intervention and assess its effectiveness in reducing child anxiety symptoms. METHODS:  This is the protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a community sample of 1754 parents with self-identified high levels of anxiety with a child aged 2-11 years. Parents in the intervention arm will receive access to the web-based course, which they undertake at a self-determined rate. The control arm receives no intervention. Follow-up data collection is at months 6 and months 9-21. Intention-to-treat analysis will be conducted on outcomes including child anxiety, child mental health symptoms, and well-being; parental anxiety and well-being; and parenting behaviors. RESULTS: Funding was received in April 2020, and recruitment started in February 2021 and is projected to end in October 2022. A total of 1350 participants have been recruited as of May 2022. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this RCT will provide evidence on the utility of a web-based course in preventing intergenerational transmission of anxiety and increase the understanding of familial anxiety. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04755933; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04755933. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/40707.

The impact of treating parental anxiety on children's mental health: An empty systematic review.

Children of anxious parents are at heightened risk of developing an anxiety disorder of their own, but promising research indicates that targeting parenting behaviours can reduce the risk of intergenerational transmission of anxiety. Given there is extensive evidence for the efficacy of treatments for adult anxiety, the current review sought to identify whether interventions solely addressing parental symptoms had any effect on the mental health and wellbeing of their children. Randomised Controlled Trials of psychological interventions targeting adults with a probable anxiety disorder and which included a child mental health or wellbeing outcome were eligible for inclusion. Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, PsychINFO, and PsychArticles were searched, and 2137 articles were systematically reviewed. However, no articles were identified that met the review criteria. Research into interventions targeting adult anxiety is failing to consider the potential benefit treatment may have on dependent children. This is a missed opportunity to evaluate a potential means of support for children who are known to be at risk of anxiety. Evaluation of psychological interventions for adult anxiety should consider including both adult and child mental health outcomes to determine potential preventative effects.

Adult mental health service engagement with patients who are parents: Evidence from 15 English mental health trusts.

OBJECTIVES: Ascertaining whether mental health service users have children is a clinical requirement in UK health services, and acknowledgement of a patient's parenting role is necessary to enable engagement with their parenting experience and to facilitate support, both of which are associated with improved outcomes for the parent-child dyad. The current study sought to investigate the practice of mental health practitioners working in UK adult mental health services with regard to the following: Ascertaining whether patients have children; engagement with the parenting role of patients; engagement with the construct of 'think patient as parent'. METHODS: Self-report online/paper survey of 1105 multi-disciplinary adult mental health practitioners working in 15 mental health trusts in England. RESULTS: A quarter of adult mental health practitioners did not routinely ascertain whether patients had dependent children. Less than half of practitioners engaged with the parenting experience or the potential impact of parental mental health on children. CONCLUSIONS: The parenting role of patients is not routinely captured by large numbers of practitioners working in adult mental health settings. This is despite it being a mandatory requirement and an integral component of the systematic care of the adult, and preventative care for the offspring. Failure to engage with patients who are parents is a missed opportunity with profound downstream public health implications. The practice deficits identified in this study should be viewed in terms of broader structural failures to address the intergenerational transmission of poor mental health. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Some parents who have mental health difficulties may struggle to provide appropriate and effective care to their children. The parenting role can also exacerbate mental health difficulties. Identification of dependent children is a mandatory component of adult mental health clinical practice and is necessary to understand a parent's support needs. A quarter of adult mental health practitioners are failing to do so. A missed opportunity to engage with the support needs of the parent-child dyad.

Parental eating disorders: A systematic review of parenting attitudes, behaviours, and parent-child interactions.

A substantial proportion of adults with eating disorders are parents. Studies suggest these parents may experience a range of parenting challenges, and their children may be at an increased risk for the development of eating disorders themselves. With parenting practices being one potential environmental mechanism for the intergenerational transmission of eating disorders, we systematically searched Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and PsychArticles for controlled studies in which parenting attitudes, behaviours, and parent-child interactions were examined for parents with and without probable eating disorders. 26,512 abstracts were screened, and 167 full-text manuscripts were retrieved, with 33 studies meeting the review inclusion criteria. Studies suggest that parents with eating disorders experience higher levels of parenting stress than control parents, and may on average be more intrusive, less sensitive, and provide less structuring/facilitation in non-feeding interactions with their children. These parents also appear, on average, to experience increased concern about their children's weight, and parent-child mealtime interactions may be problematic and characterised by high levels of conflict. Suggestions for future research are made with a view to enhancing understandings of the intergenerational transmission of eating disorders, which may lead to the identification of intervention targets for parents with eating disorders and their children.

The Parenting Experience of Those With Borderline Personality Disorder Traits: Practitioner and Parent Perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is associated with challenges around emotional intensity and interpersonal difficulties. The children of parents with BPD are at risk of poorer outcomes in terms of their own mental health, educational outcomes and wellbeing. The challenges of being a parent can also exacerbate the symptoms of those with BPD traits. There is a pressing need to understand the experience of these parents and to determine what support would be appropriate and useful. AIM: To explore and compare the experiences and support needs of parents with BPD traits with the experiences and understanding of practitioners who work with them. METHODS: Interviews with 12 parents with BPD traits and 21 practitioners with experience of working with individuals with BPD. The two strands of interviews were analyzed independently using a thematic framework approach, after which the superordinate and subordinate themes were subject to comparison. RESULTS: Parents with BPD traits represent themselves as experiencing considerable challenges in their role as a parent. These included the impact of emotional intensity, social isolation and lack of a positive parenting models to draw upon. Practitioners demonstrated a strong degree of shared understanding into these difficulties. Both groups highlighted a lack of appropriate support for these parents. CONCLUSION: This research highlights the clinical need for parenting-focused support for individuals with BPD traits. Preliminary suggestions for format and content are given.

Maternal and paternal influences on childhood anxiety symptoms: A genetically sensitive comparison.

This study tested the theory that anxious fathers pose a quantitatively different environmental influence on childhood anxiety than anxious mothers. The analysed sample contained 502 linked adoption units from the Early Growth and Development Study (EGDS), a longitudinal multisite study that follows 561 adopted children (57.2% boys) and their adoptive and birth parents, who were recruited through US adoption agencies. A Bayesian latent growth model predicted child anxiety symptoms between 18 months and 4.5 years from inherited (birth parent anxiety) and rearing parent anxiety. This model revealed little evidence for a difference in the influence of maternal and paternal rearing parent anxiety on child anxiety symptoms. Contrary to theoretical predictions, anxiety in the rearing father is likely to have an equivalent influence to that of the mother on both child anxiety symptoms at 18 months old and their developmental trajectory over the preschool years.

Helping parents to help children overcome fear: The influence of a short video tutorial.

OBJECTIVES: Anxiety runs in families, and its transmission is largely environmental. However, studies rarely explore this process in clinically anxious parents or ask participants to face a genuine fear. We also do not know whether this process is modifiable. This study will explore these questions using a sample of clinically anxious parents. DESIGN: Experimental design comparing clinically anxious parents with non-anxious parents, and exploring the effects of a tutorial intervention versus a control group. METHODS: Parents with and without anxiety disorders and their children (5-9 years) participated (N = 72). Children chose two fearful animal stimuli. Parents helped the child approach the first in graded steps. The following parental behaviours were recorded: positive/negative verbal information; positive/negative modelling; encouragement/praising of approach/avoidance behaviours. Half the parents were then randomly assigned to a short video tutorial advising how to help children cope with fearful situations. The remainder watched a control video. The approach task was repeated with the second stimulus. RESULTS: Parenting behaviours fell into two categories: 'approach parenting' (encouraging/praising/modelling approach; positive verbal information) and 'avoidance parenting' (encouraging/praising/modelling avoidance; negative verbal information). The parenting tutorial increased 'approach parenting' and decreased 'avoidance parenting' and was associated with increased child approach towards fearful stimuli. This was not moderated by parent or child anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Parenting, particularly 'avoidance parenting', is associated with children's approach and avoidance. A short video tutorial modified these parenting behaviours and reduced avoidance. These effects were apparent regardless of parent or child anxiety level. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Avoidance and approach parenting may influence children's response to fearful stimuli. Avoidance parenting may be more problematic than lack of approach parenting. Approach and avoidance parenting are amenable to manipulation by short video tutorial. Parenting improvement resulted in increased approach behaviour in children.

Preventing family transmission of anxiety: Feasibility RCT of a brief intervention for parents.

OBJECTIVES: Children of anxious parents are at high risk of anxiety disorders themselves. The evidence suggests that this is due to environmental rather than genetic factors. However, we currently do little to reduce this risk of transmission. There is evidence that supporting parenting in those with mental health difficulties can ameliorate this risk. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test the feasibility of a new one-session, group-based, preventive parenting intervention for parents with anxiety disorders. DESIGN: Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. METHODS: A total of 100 parents with anxiety disorders, recruited from adult mental health services in England (and child aged 3-9 years), were randomized to receive the new intervention (a 1-day, group workshop), or to treatment as usual. Children's anxiety disorder and anxiety symptoms were assessed to 12 months by outcome assessors who were blind to group allocation. Exploratory analyses were conducted on an intention to treat basis, as far as possible. RESULTS: A total of 51 participants were randomized to the intervention condition and 49 to the control condition (82% and 80% followed to 12 months, respectively). The attendance rate was 59%, and the intervention was highly acceptable to parents who received it. The RCT was feasible, and 12-month follow-up attrition rates were low. Children whose parents were in the control condition were 16.5% more likely to have an anxiety disorder at follow-up than those in the intervention group. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: An inexpensive, light-touch, psycho-educational intervention may be useful in breaking the intergenerational cycle of transmission of anxiety disorders. A substantive trial is warranted. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Anxiety disorders run in families, but we currently do little to help anxious parents to raise confident children. A brief group workshop was highly acceptable to such parents and was very inexpensive to run. Children of parents who took part in the brief intervention were 16.5% less likely to have an anxiety disorder, 1 year later, than children whose parents were in the control group. This was a feasibility study, and while it showed that both the intervention and the research were feasible, the study needs replicating with a much larger sample. Many parents faced barriers to attending the workshop, and future efforts should focus on widening accessibility. We were unable to obtain sufficient self-report data from children, so the outcomes are based on parent report only.

No Significant Evidence of Cognitive Biases for Emotional Stimuli in Children At-Risk of Developing Anxiety Disorders.

This paper explores whether the increased vulnerability of children of anxious parents to develop anxiety disorders may be partially explained by these children having increased cognitive biases towards threat compared with children of non-anxious parents. Parents completed questionnaires about their child's anxiety symptoms. Children aged 5-9 (n = 85) participated in two cognitive bias tasks: 1) an emotion recognition task, and 2) an ambiguous situations questionnaire. For the emotion recognition task, there were no significant differences between at-risk children and children of non-anxious parents in their cognitive bias scores for reaction times or for accuracy in identifying angry or happy facial expressions. In addition, there were no significant differences between at-risk children and children of non-anxious parents in the number of threat interpretations made for the ambiguous situations questionnaire. It is possible that these cognitive biases only become present subsequent to the development of an anxiety disorder, or only in older at-risk children.

Parenting in mothers with borderline personality disorder and impact on child outcomes.

QUESTION: This systematic review explores two questions: what parenting difficulties are experienced by mothers with borderline personality disorder (BPD); and what impact do these have on her children? STUDY SELECTION AND ANALYSIS: Studies had to include mothers with a diagnosis of BPD, who was the primary caregiver to a child/children under 19 years. PsycINFO and MEDLINE were screened (update: July 2014), yielding 17 relevant studies. FINDINGS: Mothers with BPD are often parenting in the context of significant additional risk factors, such as depression, substance use and low support. Interactions between mothers with BPD and their infants are at risk of low sensitivity and high intrusiveness, and mothers have difficulty in correctly identifying their emotional state. Levels of parenting stress are high, and self-reported competence and satisfaction are low. The family environment is often hostile and low in cohesion, and mothers with BPD show low levels of mind-mindedness but high levels of overprotection of older children. Outcomes for children are poor compared with both children of healthy mothers, and mothers with other disorders. Infants of mothers with BPD have poorer interactions with their mother (e.g., less positive affect and vocalising, more dazed looks and looks away). Older children exhibit a range of cognitive-behavioural risk factors (e.g., harm avoidance, dysfunctional attitudes and attributions), and have poorer relationships with their mothers. Unsurprisingly, given these findings, children of mothers with BPD have poorer mental health in a range of domains. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the elevated need for support in these mother-child dyads.

A Meta-Analysis of Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the Treatment of Child and Young Person Anxiety Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Previous meta-analyses of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for children and young people with anxiety disorders have not considered the efficacy of transdiagnostic CBT for the remission of childhood anxiety. AIM: To provide a meta-analysis on the efficacy of transdiagnostic CBT for children and young people with anxiety disorders. METHODS: The analysis included randomized controlled trials using transdiagnostic CBT for children and young people formally diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. An electronic search was conducted using the following databases: ASSIA, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Current Controlled Trials, Medline, PsycArticles, PsychInfo, and Web of Knowledge. The search terms included "anxiety disorder(s)", "anxi*", "cognitive behavio*, "CBT", "child*", "children", "paediatric", "adolescent(s)", "adolescence", "youth" and "young pe*". The studies identified from this search were screened against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 20 studies were identified as appropriate for inclusion in the current meta-analysis. Pre- and posttreatment (or control period) data were used for analysis. RESULTS: Findings indicated significantly greater odds of anxiety remission from pre- to posttreatment for those engaged in the transdiagnostic CBT intervention compared with those in the control group, with children in the treatment condition 9.15 times more likely to recover from their anxiety diagnosis than children in the control group. Risk of bias was not correlated with study effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS: Transdiagnostic CBT seems effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety in children and young people. Further research is required to investigate the efficacy of CBT for children under the age of 6.

Metacognitive beliefs in adolescents with an at-risk mental state for psychosis.

AIM: The self-regulatory executive function model suggests that metacognitive beliefs play a role in all forms of psychological disorder, including psychosis. However, our understanding of these beliefs and their relationship with symptoms in adolescents with an at-risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis is limited. METHODS: The Metacognitions Questionnaire short form (MCQ-30) was administered to 31 adolescents with an identified ARMS. Scores were subsequently compared to a control group of 76 adolescents drawn from a community population. RESULTS: As predicted, ARMS patients scored significantly higher on metacognition subscales, with negative beliefs (F = 42.97, P = 0.001), cognitive confidence (F = 17.11, P = 0.001) and need for control (F = 22.48, P = 0.001) subscales of the MCQ-30 distinguishing them from the comparison group. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that metacognitive beliefs are significantly elevated in comparison to a community sample of adolescents is in keeping with previous adult-orientated research. Possible implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Does parental anxiety cause biases in the processing of child-relevant threat material?

OBJECTIVES: Anxiety leads to biases in processing personally relevant information. This study set out to examine whether anxious parents also experience biases in processing child-relevant material. DESIGN AND METHODS: Ninety parents acted as a control condition, or received a social anxiety or child-related anxiety induction. They completed a task examining attentional biases in relation to child-threat words and social-threat words, and a task examining ability to categorize emotion in children's faces and voices. RESULTS: There was a trend indicating group differences in attentional bias towards social-threat words, and this appears to have been only in the social anxiety condition, but not the child anxiety or control conditions. For child-threat words, attentional bias was present in the child anxiety condition, but not the social anxiety or control conditions. In the emotion recognition task, there was no difference between the control and child anxiety conditions, but the social anxiety condition were more likely to erroneously label children's faces and voices as sad. CONCLUSIONS: Parents' anxious biases may spill over into their child's world. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Parents' anxious biases may spill over into their child's world. Anxious parents may have attentional biases towards threats in their children's environment. Anxious parents may over-attribute negative emotion to children.