Preventing Anxiety Disorders in Urban Youth

Community Violence and Youth: Preventing Anxiety Disorders

This study will determine the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral group therapy program in preventing anxiety disorders in at-risk children exposed to community violence.

Community violence is a major public health problem in low-income, urban communities. The mental health impact of living in a violent community is significant, particularly for children. Community violence exposure is associated with various symptoms of anxiety. Unfortunately, little research on the prevention of community-related anxiety in youth has been conducted. This study involves a school-based prevention and cognitive behavioral therapy program that will involve predominantly African American children who live in urban areas and are at risk for developing anxiety disorders.

Children in this study will be randomly assigned to either an anxiety prevention and early intervention group or a nonintervention group for approximately 3 months. Child, parent, and teacher assessments of anxiety symptoms will be made at the end of the study and at a 6-month follow-up visit.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Mild exposure to community violence
• Mild to moderate anxiety symptoms or disorders
• Attending public elementary school in an urban area
• In 3rd to 5th grades

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV disruptive behavior disorder
• Too many or too few anxiety symptoms