Anxiety interventions in schools: a survey of school psychologists

Date of Award

2014

Degree Name

Ed.S. in School Psychology

Department

Department of Counselor Education & Human Services

Advisor/Chair

Advisor: Elana R. Bernstein

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions that children and adolescents suffer from. With the negative impact anxiety disorders can have on childhood development, academic performance, and later adult life functioning, it is imperative that prevention and early intervention services are provided. Given the availability of evidenced-based interventions, their documented transportability to the school setting, and school psychology graduate training, school psychologists are in a unique position to provide these services. The present study surveyed (N=111) practicing school psychologists in Ohio to determine their current use of evidenced-based interventions (EBIs) for the prevention and treatment of anxious youth in the school setting and the barriers they perceive to implementing these services. Results indicated that while 84.1% of participants report the use of evidenced-based programs to be very important," 44.6% of those same participants report that they do not currently implement any evidenced-based intervention programs for anxious youth. Potential barriers to implementing these services most frequently reported included: available time, available resources, feasibility of training teachers and staff for delivering treatment, and other job responsibilities taking precedence. Implications for providing mental health prevention/intervention programming in the schools and methods for conquering potential barriers to delivering services are discussed."

Keywords

School psychologists Attitudes, School psychologists Ohio, School psychology Ohio, Anxiety in adolescence Treatment, Anxiety in children Treatment, Adolescent psychology, Psychology, Mental Health, School Counseling, Anxiety, Anxiety Prevention and Intervention, School Psychologists, Evidenced-Based Interventions, School-Based Mental Health

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2014, author

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