An online solution focused brief therapy for adolescent anxiety : A randomized controlled trial

Shitao Chen; Yanwen Zhang; Diyang Qu; Jiafen He; Quan Yuan; Yinzhe Wang; Wenxiu Bi; Peiyu Chen; Fei Wu; Runsen Chen

doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103660

An online solution focused brief therapy for adolescent anxiety : A randomized controlled trial

Asian J Psychiatr. 2023 Aug:86:103660. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103660. Epub 2023 Jun 8.

Authors

Shitao Chen¹, Yanwen Zhang², Diyang Qu³, Jiafen He⁴, Quan Yuan⁴, Yinzhe Wang², Wenxiu Bi⁴, Peiyu Chen⁴, Fei Wu⁴, Runsen Chen⁵

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China. Electronic address: chenshitao@bnu.edu.cn.
² Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
³ Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
⁴ Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
⁵ Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. Electronic address: runsenchen@tsinghua.edu.cn.

Abstract

In this randomized clinical trial, we investigated the efficacy of an online solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) for adolescents' anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 period. Eligible participants were between the ages of 11 and 18 years, scored a 10 or above on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). The results found that compared to adolescents who did not receive any treatment, the intervention yielded significant results in alleviating adolescents' anxiety and depressive symptoms while promoting problem oriented coping strategies at immediate post-intervention. The therapeutic benefit has persisted, as shown in our results from the 1-month follow-up.

Keywords: Adolescent; Anxiety; Covid; Intervention; RCT.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Anxiety / therapy
Anxiety Disorders / therapy
COVID-19*
Child
Humans
Psychotherapy, Brief* / methods
Treatment Outcome