论文部分内容阅读
Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of the FRIENDS programme. Methods: Uncontrolled before and after assessment of the FRIENDS programme, a 10 session cognitive behaviour therapy programme. A total of 213 children aged 9-10 years from six primary schools were studied. Main outcome measures: Spence Children’ s Anxiety Scale, Culture Free Self-Esteem Questionnaire, qualitative assessment of acceptability. Results: End of programme data from 197 children (92.5% of eligible sample) showed significantly lower rates of anxiety (t=2.95, df=384) and significantly improved levels of self-esteem (t=3.13, df=386)-. Significant improvements were obtained in over half of those children with the most severe emotional problems. A total of 190 children (89.2% ) completed a qualitative assessment of acceptability: 154 (81 % ) thought it was fun, 147 (77.4% ) would recommend it to a friend; 137 (72.8% ) thought they had learned new skills, and 78 (41.1% ) had helped someone else with their new skills. Conclusions: The FRIENDS programme appears to be an efficacious and acceptable way to promote emotional resilience (reduced anxiety and increased self-esteem) in primary school aged children, consistent with previous studies in Australia. Further controlled studies are needed to assess natural history of anxiety and self-esteem and whether benefits are maintained over time.
Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of the FRIENDS program. Methods: Uncontrolled before and after assessment of the FRIENDS program, a 10 session cognitive behaviour therapy program. A total of 213 children aged 9-10 years from 6 primary schools were studied. Results: End of program data from 197 children (92.5% of eligible samples) showed significantly lower rates of anxiety (t = 2.95, Significant improvements were obtained in over half of those children with the most severe emotional problems. A total of 190 children (89.2%) completed 137 (72.8%) thought they had learned new skills, and 78 (41.1%) had helped someone else with their new skills. Conclusions: The FRIENDS program appears to be an efficacious and acceptable way to promote emotional resilience (reduced anxiety and increased self-esteem) in primary school aged children, consistent with previous studies in Australia. Further controlled studies are needed to assess natural history of anxiety and self-esteem and whether benefits are maintained over time.