Cognitive behaviour therapy-based early intervention and prevention programme for anxiety in South African children with visual impairments

Abstract

Background Anxiety is the most common psychological difficulty reported by youth worldwide and may also be a significant problem for children with visual impairments. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) interventions have proven to be successful in treating childhood anxiety; however, mostly these are not suitable for children with visual impairments, as the materials used are not sufficiently accessible to this population. Objectives The present study was motivated by the dearth of research on this topic and aimed to examine the effects of a specifically tailored, group-based, universally delivered, CBT intervention for anxiety in children with visual impairments and to examine the influence of three predictor variables (i.e. age, gender and level of visual impairment) on prevention effects. Method A randomised wait-list control group design with pre-, post- and follow-up intervention measures was employed. The final sample of 52 children (aged 9–14) with varying degrees of visual impairment received the anxiety intervention. Participants were followed over a course of 10 months during which their anxiety symptoms were assessed quantitatively at four time points (T1–T4). Results The results indicated that the anxiety intervention did not significantly decrease symptoms of anxiety within the intervention groups. However, the intervention appeared beneficial for girls, younger children and legally blind participants. Conclusion This study demonstrated how CBT interventions can be adapted for use in children with visual impairments. Results obtained provide a foundation upon which future updated anxiety intervention programmes can be built, meeting the need for further research in this area.

Four Steps To My Future (4STMF): acceptability, feasibility and exploratory outcomes of a universal school‐based mental health and well‐being programme, delivered to young adolescents in South Africa

“…At baseline, our participants' average score on anxiety and depression symptoms was below clinical range, and similar to comparable South African samples (Visagie, Loxton, Swartz, & Stallard, 2021 ) but higher than samples recruited in schools in the United Kingdom ((Stallard et al., 2014 )—for example mean total RCADS‐30 = 12.89). This indicates, as we anticipated, that in this LMIC context and peri‐pandemic, where vulnerability factors are high, many young adolescents may be experiencing some anxiety and depression symptoms, demonstrating the need for mental health promotion interventions.…”

Promotive and preventive interventions for adolescent mental health in Sub-Saharan Africa: a combined scoping and systematic review

“…For example, over the last 20 years, the Balekane EARTH programme in Botswana (previously named Ark for Children) has sent groups of orphans to a wilderness-based psychosocial strengthening camp, to build feelings of trust and kinship as a protective factor for mental health. 53 Furthermore, an intervention aimed at specifically preventing aggression problems in young males showed positive results, 55 while an RCT of an anxiety prevention intervention in children with visual impairments 56 found no improvements.…”

Developing an Anxiety Screening Tool for Children in South Africa: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

“…Unrecognized and untreated anxiety symptoms in ECD have the potential to influence the way children interact with their peers, family, and community members [ 9 , 10 ]. Additionally, anxiety symptoms could persist and become more severe, placing children at risk for academic difficulties and school dropout [ 9 , 11 ] as well as the development of anxiety disorders and depression, suicide ideation, unemployment, and substance use disorders later in life [ 12 , 13 ]. However, there is a paucity of literature exploring anxiety during early childhood within the South African context.…”