If you have a child struggling with anxiety, you understand the heartache that comes with it. The instinctual response for many parents is to jump in and try to “fix” the situation—whether by seeking therapy or making adjustments to ease their child’s discomfort. However, recent research indicates that how parents respond to their child’s anxiety can sometimes exacerbate the issue rather than alleviate it.
A groundbreaking study from a team at Yale University introduces a program that trains parents instead of children, aiming to reshape the way caregivers react to anxious behaviors. “Parents significantly influence childhood anxiety,” explains Dr. Maxine Harcourt, a psychologist involved in the research.
The Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) program emphasizes reducing parental accommodations of anxious behaviors. It turns out that comforting responses—while well-intentioned—can inadvertently contribute to greater anxiety in children. “When parents constantly intervene, the underlying message is that the child is incapable of handling their feelings,” said Harcourt.
Though a certain level of anxiety is typical in childhood, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America notes that one in eight children in the U.S. faces an anxiety disorder. Without proper intervention, these children risk poor academic performance, missed social opportunities, and even substance abuse. Understanding how parents can positively influence their child’s anxiety is essential.
Dr. Harcourt elaborates, “By excessively accommodating their child’s anxiety, parents convey that their child cannot manage it alone.” The SPACE program aims to shift this dynamic, guiding parents to allow their children to face their fears while providing support from a distance.
This approach starkly contrasts with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing negative thought patterns and encouraging positive behaviors in the anxious individual. Dr. Harcourt argues that parental involvement is crucial for those struggling with anxiety, impacting how well kids learn to cope.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry in March found promising results for those who participated in the SPACE program. “Family accommodation and parenting stress decreased significantly, with even greater reductions in family accommodation compared to CBT,” the research indicated.
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In summary, the SPACE program offers a new perspective on managing childhood anxiety by focusing on changing parental responses. By allowing children to confront their fears with support rather than intervention, parents can foster resilience in their kids, ultimately promoting healthier coping mechanisms.
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