Parent-Based Treatment for Teenage Anxiety
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests two parent-focused treatments designed to help teenagers with anxiety disorders. One group of parents will learn about Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), while the other will receive Parent Education and Support (PES). Both treatments involve sessions with parents to help manage their teen's anxiety. The trial seeks teens diagnosed with anxiety disorders such as social anxiety or panic disorder who are not taking certain medications or undergoing other treatments. Parents must live with the teen and be willing to participate in the sessions. As an unphased trial, this study offers families a unique opportunity to explore innovative approaches to managing teen anxiety.
Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?
You don't need to stop taking your current medications if you are on a stable dose of a stimulant or SSRI (a type of antidepressant) for at least 6 months. However, you cannot start any new psychotropic medications during the study.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research shows that the treatment called SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is easy for parents to use and generally helpful. Studies have shown that SPACE reduces the extent to which parents alter their behavior to accommodate their children's anxiety, indicating it is safe for families.
PES (Parent Education and Support) is another approach that teaches parents how to manage their child's anxiety. Although specific safety data on PES is limited, it is similar to SPACE in focusing on educating and supporting parents. Generally, these programs are considered safe because they help parents rather than directly treating children.
Both SPACE and PES aim to support parents, which in turn benefits their children. Since these treatments do not involve medications or medical procedures, they carry fewer risks.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about these treatments for teenage anxiety because they uniquely involve parents as the central focus of intervention. The Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) program is distinctive because it empowers parents to modify their responses to their child's anxiety, rather than directly involving the adolescent in therapy. This contrasts with traditional options like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or medication, which usually focus on the teenager managing their own anxiety. Meanwhile, the Parent Education and Support (PES) arm serves as a comparator, offering a more conventional parent-based approach, yet still sets itself apart by directly supporting parents over 12 sessions. This trial could pave the way for new, family-centered strategies in managing teenage anxiety.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for teenage anxiety?
This trial will compare two parent-based treatments for teenage anxiety: Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) and Parent Education and Support (PES). Research has shown that the SPACE program, which involves only parents, effectively reduces family accommodation (when families change their behavior to ease the child's anxiety) and parenting stress. By focusing on these areas, SPACE can help reduce anxiety in teenagers. In contrast, general parent support like PES is important but tends to be less effective in reducing stress reactions in teenagers compared to younger children. Comprehensive studies reviewing multiple research findings suggest that focused parent interventions can be helpful, but their effectiveness can vary. Overall, SPACE seems promising in addressing teenage anxiety by involving parents in a structured way.13678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Rebecca Etkin, PhD
Principal Investigator
Yale University
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for parents of teenagers who are dealing with anxiety. To participate, the family must be willing to engage in a parent-only treatment approach and commit to assessments throughout the study.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive either SPACE or PES treatment over 12 sessions
Mid-treatment assessment
Assessment of progress and adjustment of treatment if necessary
Post-treatment assessment
Final assessment to evaluate treatment outcomes
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Parent Educational Support (PES)
- Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Yale University
Lead Sponsor
MQ: Transforming Mental Health
Collaborator