specific fear Specific phobia
Conditions
Interventions
Two conditions recieving each three sessions:
A. 1 Psycho-education session (PE) + 2 exposure sessions in big steps working
towards treatment goal
B. 1 PE + 2 EXP sessions in small steps working towa
Sponsors
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
Eligibility
Age
2 Years to 17 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: • Aged between 8-17 years old and in primary or secondary school • Sufficient knowledge of the Dutch language • Meeting the criteria of a specific phobia of the situational or animal subtype either one of the following subtypes: o Animal: fear of pets, insects, spiders, small reptiles and amphibians, farm animals, birds o Natural environment: fear of heights, darkness, thunder, fire o Medical: fear of blood, needles, medical or dental care, injury, choking o Situational: fear of enclosed places, elevators, escalators, using one specific type of transportation (cars, buses, trains, ships) o Other: fear of loud sounds, fireworks, costumed characters, amputated limbs, fruit etc
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: • Absence of permission of legal guardian(s) • Currently in treatment or receiving medication for anxiety • Received CBT for anxiety in the past 12 months • Specific phobia that do not fall cannot be treated with either in-session or out-session exposure due to absence of available phobic stimuli, for example: o Animal: fear of zoo animals o Natural environment: fear of water, lightning, storms, fires o Medical: fear of invasive medical procedures, infection, vomiting o Situational: fear of using multiple types of transportation (cars, buses, trains, ships), plane flights o Other: fear of open spaces etc. • Different and more urgent request for help • (Risk of) suicidality, psychosis or domestic violence
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The main study parameter is specific phobia diagnosis of the of the animal, natural environment, medical, situational or other subtype. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Secondary: Out-session fear Fearful cognitions Bodily tension Avoidance Coping In-session fear In-session harm expectancy Approach behaviour Self-efficacy Other: Healthcare costs Quality of life Specific phobia severity General comorbidity Comorbid anxiety and depression Demographic variables Credibility and expectancy of the treatment Treatment satisfaction Treatment integrity Therapeutic alliance | — |
Countries
Netherlands
Outcome results
None listed