Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Conditions
Interventions
PAM anxiety intervention programme
Sponsors
None listed
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: children with visual impairments attending two special schools in South Africa universal prevention where participants were included regardless of anxiety status participants age between 9 and 13
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: regardless of visual impairment, no other disability
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The primary outcome measure relates to the participants symptoms of anxiety as indicated on the RCADS-30 and PSWQ-S. After assenting to participate, the 52 participants were randomly assigned to either an IIG or DIG at their respective school. During data analysis, the IIG’s from School 1 and School 2 were combined to form one IIG, and the DIG’s from School 1 and School 2 were combined to form one DIG. The combined IIG included 27 participants (15 boys, 12 girls) with a mean age of 11.44 (SD = 1.47); and the combined DIG included 25 participants (13 boys, 12 girls) with a mean age of 11.58 (SD = 1.35).Both of the programmes groups received the 10 session PAM anxiety intervention programme. They completed evaluations at 4 points. The PAM program did not lead to post intervention reductions in self-reported anxiety and worry scores on the RCADS-30 and PSWQ-C. These non-significant results may relate to the fact that base-line anxiety symptoms were unexpectedly low. The overall mean score within each group virtually remained unchanged from T1 to T4. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The secondary outcome A second aim of the present study was to examine the effects of the predictor variables of age, gender and level of visual impairment. Younger (9–11-year-olds) and legally blind participants reported significant reductions in anxiety scores on the RCADS-30 from pre- (T1) to post- (T3) test. Girls also reported a significant reduction in worry scores on the PSWQ-C. Thus, although there were no overall effects, it appears that the PAM program may be beneficial for girls, younger participants (aged 9–11) and legally blind children. Results relating to the legally blind group are particularly noteworthy, as children with severe visual impairments have been identified as a high-risk group. It is also encouraging to note the effects relating to a decrease in symptoms of major depression for younger (age 9–11-year-olds) and legally blind children. These results are important as it has been noted that some larger scale depression prevention studies have recently found non-significant universal effects. | — |
Countries
South Africa
Contacts
Public ContactLeslie Swartz
Professor at Department of Psychology Stellenbosch University
Outcome results
None listed