A randomised controlled study evaluating the effects of triple p positive parenting program on anxiety level and mental health of children, who are between 8-12 years old with anxiety disorder, and their parents

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Triple P Positive Parenting Programme on childhood anxiety disorders and to assess its effects on behavioral and emotional problems, general anxiety level, severity of the disorder and general psychosocial functioning. An additional aim is to evaluate potential effects of Triple-P on anxiety and psychological well-being of parents of children with anxiety disorders. Method: The study is a randomized controlled prospective in design. The sample of the study consisted of 74 children, aged between 8-12 years, diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder confirmed by Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children Present and Life-time Kiddie (K-SADS-PL). Following randomization into two equal groups, parents of the cases participated in Group Triple P Positive Parenting Programme for eight weeks where as the control group did not. The two groups were compared right before and after the implementation on rates of sociodemographic, emotional and behavioral variables. Data were collected by using a sociodemographic data form, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, General Health Questionnaire-28, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders Parent and Child Forms, Children?s Global Assessment Scale and Clinical Global Impression-Severity. The study data were evaluated with Mann Whitney U, Willcoxon signed rank test, chi-square analysis. Findings: Significant reduction in peer relation, emotional problem subscale scores and total problem score of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were observed (p values, p=0,02, p=0,001, p=0,008, respectively). Children?s general anxiety level and anxiety disorder severity were significantly lower in the cases following Triple-P implementation (p values, p<0,001, p<0,001, respectively). Within group analysis displayed significant improvement in children?s social problems, parental anxiety and general well- being (p=0,06, p=0,001, p=0,015,respectively) where as between group analysis were not significantly different regarding these variables p values p=0,426, p=0,380, p=0,567, respectively). Conclusions: Becoming Triple P Positive Parenting Programme prevalant in our country and researching the effects of Triple P Positive Parenting Programme on anxiety disorder in the countries, where Triple P Positive Parenting Programme has already been implemented, are needed. Due to the results of our study we consider that Triple P Positive Parenting Programme can be useful in the treatment of children?s anxiety disorder but further more studies about Triple P on children?s anxiety disorders are needed. Keywords: Triple P Positive Parenting Programme, anxiety disorders in children, parents' mental health, parents' anxiety.