1. Brief treatment for nighttime fears and co-sleeping problems: A randomized clinical trial.
- Author
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Rafihi-Ferreira RE, Silvares EFM, Asbahr FR, and Ollendick TH
- Subjects
- Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Male, Waiting Lists, Anxiety psychology, Anxiety therapy, Bibliotherapy methods, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy methods, Fear psychology, Play and Playthings psychology, Sleep physiology
- Abstract
Sixty-eight 4-6 year old children who co-slept with their parents and who avoided sleeping alone due to intense nighttime fears were randomized to a brief combined parent-based intervention (CBT-based bibliotherapy plus doll) or a wait list control group. After the waiting period, the wait list participants were offered treatment. Co-sleeping patterns, sleep records, anxiety, general fears, and behavior problems were assessed with parent-report measures. Nighttime fears were assessed with parent-report measures and a single item visual analogue scale for the young children. Assessments were completed pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 3 months following treatment. Results showed that the combined intervention was superior to the wait list control condition and that treatment effects were maintained at 3-month follow-up. This study provides initial support for use of CBT-based bibliotherapy plus doll in the treatment of nighttime fears. Such a treatment might be used to supplement standard CBT approaches in routine clinical practice or in a stepped care approach to treatment., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)
- Published
- 2018
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