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Homework Adherence and Cognitive Behaviour Treatment Outcome for Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 July 2015

Kristian Arendt ,
Mikael Thastum  and
Esben Hougaard
Kristian Arendt*
Affiliation:
Aarhus University, Denmark
Mikael Thastum
Affiliation:
Aarhus University, Denmark
Esben Hougaard
Affiliation:
Aarhus University, Denmark
*
Reprint requests to Kristian Arendt, Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 9, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. E-mail: kristian@psy.au.dk
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Abstract

Background: Homework assignments are considered an essential component for a successful outcome of cognitive behavioural therapy for youths with anxiety disorders. However, only two studies have examined the association between homework adherence and outcome of cognitive behavioural therapy for youths with anxiety disorders. Aims: The study examined the association between homework adherence and treatment outcome following a generic group cognitive behaviour treatment program (Cool Kids) for anxiety disordered youths and their parents. Method: The treatment program was completed by 98 children and adolescents (ages 7–16). Homework adherence was measured as time spent doing homework assignments between each session, reported by youths as well as parents. Outcome criteria consisted of youth-reported anxiety symptoms and clinician rated severity of primary anxiety diagnosis at posttreatment and 3-month follow-up. Results: Results did not support an association between homework adherence and treatment outcome when controlling for pretreatment severity. Conclusions: The study found no convincing evidence that homework adherence predicted outcome of cognitive behavioural therapy for youths with anxiety disorders. Reasons for divergent findings on homework adherence in cognitive behavioural therapy for youths compared to adults are discussed.

Keywords

Anxietyhomework assignmentscognitive behavioural therapychildrenadolescents
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 44 , Issue 2 , March 2016 , pp. 225 - 235
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2015 

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