Transgenerational Prevention of Anxiety in Children at Ultra-high Risk

Anxiety disorders usually start in childhood and adolescence and are associated with social and occupational difficulties in adulthood. Children who have a parent with an anxiety disorder and who find new situations distressing and avoid them are at an increased risk for developing an anxiety disorder. Research suggests that anti-anxiety parenting can help children grow up courageous and calm. It is, however, difficult to parent in an anti-anxiety way when the parent has an anxiety disorder himself or herself.

This research study will test the efficacy of a new program designed to prevent the onset or persistence of anxiety disorders in children at risk for anxiety disorders. The investigators will first help parents learn skills to cope with their own anxiety and then coach them to share these skills with their children and parent in an anti-anxiety way. The goal is to intervene early enough in the children's lives so that they can be free of anxiety disorders and lead happy, healthy and productive lives in adulthood.