The ‘Long-Term’ Effects of Universal School-based Anxiety Prevention Trials: A Systematic Review

Samuel.M Waldron, Paul Stallard, Rebecca Grist, Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective Previous reviews demonstrate that universal school-based anxiety prevention programs are generally effective in the short-term, but have not yet provided a clear evaluation of the longer-term effects. This review focuses exclusively on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of universal school-based anxiety prevention programs that included a follow-up at 12-months or beyond. Method In total, 359 references from previous reviews in the field were screened; PubMed and PsychInfo were also systematically searched. Eight studies met criteria (each based on cognitive-behavioural principles) comprising 7522 children aged nine-18 years. Risk of bias in most studies was high, thus a formal meta-analysis was not conducted. Results Three of the eight studies reported greater reductions in anxiety symptomology in the prevention group compared to the control group at post-intervention (immediate effect), and each of these studies also reported maintenance of this effect at 12-month follow-up. Two further studies reported a ‘delayed’ effect at 12-month follow-up. Each of these five studies was evaluating the FRIENDS program, and estimated effect sizes at 12-months follow-up varied from 0.2 to 0.69 (Hedges g). The final three studies reported no immediate or long-term effects. Conclusions The findings from this review suggest that the effects of some universally delivered school-based anxiety prevention trials can last up to 12-months, but this may depend on various factors (including program-type). It was not possible to draw firm conclusions regarding the influence of delivery mode (teacher versus health professional), parent sessions or child booster sessions. Further high quality RCTs with long-term follow-up periods are needed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8-15
JournalMental Health & Prevention
Volume11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Apr 2018

Bibliographical note

© 2018. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • Prevention
  • Schools
  • Universal
  • Long-term
  • Public health

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