Efficacy of Family Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Symptoms in Children with Developmental Disabilities and its Association with Maternal Anxiety at Pre-treatment: A Mixed Methods Study

<p>This study adopted a mixed-methods approach to examine the effects of maternal baseline anxiety symptoms on the efficacy of family cognitive behavioral therapy (FCBT) and the resulting qualitative changes in the participants. Mothers of children with developmental disabilities aged 6–12 years participated in an FCBT program for their children's anxiety symptoms. The participants were dichotomized into high (n＝5) and low (n＝19) anxiety groups and between-group differences were examined. Quantitative data analysis revealed no significant differences in the efficacy of the intervention between the groups. However, qualitative analysis showed differences regarding awareness and behavioral changes during the intervention. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated to show changes in participants' environment, maternal mental and physical state, their relationship with their children, and their children's status after the intervention. Finally, interventions for anxiety symptoms in children with developmental disabilities were discussed considering the degree of maternal anxiety.</p><p>【Research Impact】</p><p>By including an intervention for maternal anxiety symptoms during the FCBT program, mothers with high baseline anxiety symptoms could engage in the program, resulting in increased efficacy for both groups. The results of this study suggest that intervention for anxiety symptoms in children with developmental disabilities should be tailored to the degree of maternal anxiety symptoms.</p>