Indicated Prevention and Early Intervention for Childhood Anxiety: A Randomized Trial With Caucasian and Hispanic/Latino Youth

Objective: This trial of a randomized indicated anxiety prevention and early intervention explored initial program effects as well as the role of ethnicity and language on measured outcomes. Method: A total of 88 youth (M = 10.36 years: 45 girls, 52 Latino) received 1 of 2 protocols with varying degrees of parent involvement, and response was measured at posttest and 6-month follow-up. Results: Findings showed that child anxiety symptoms improved significantly across protocols, although additional gains were found for children in the child plus parent condition. Program effects did not vary by Latino ethnicity or Spanish language use in the intervention. Conclusions: The cognitive and behavioral strategies established for Caucasian children may be promising for Hispanic/Latino children when applied in a culturally responsive manner.