Abstract
Anxiety disorders occur at higher rates in youth with ASD than in neurotypical youth. Although the efficacy of CBT for anxiety in children with ASD is widely supported, factors that influence treatment outcomes are not well understood. This study examined the role of maternal anxiety in treatment outcomes for youth with ASD. Youth with ASD and anxiety (ages 8 to 14), along with their mothers (n = 87), participated in a group CBT intervention. Results indicated that maternal anxiety did not improve over the course of treatment. However, findings suggest that high levels of maternal anxiety at pre-treatment predicted higher levels of youth anxiety post-treatment. Importantly, the relationship between parent anxiety and youth outcomes was moderated by child age. The findings of the present study may provide initial insight into the role that maternal anxiety plays in treatment outcomes for children with ASD and co-occurring anxiety, particularly when considering child age.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1789-1798 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Child Psychiatry and Human Development |
Volume | 54 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2023 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Maternal anxiety
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health