1- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (27 Views)
Objectiv(s): Childhood anxiety disorders are prevalent conditions that can hinder the normal course of development. This article introduced an intelligent interactive system aimed at reducing children's anxiety through parent-mediated cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Methods: After developing the system, its validity was examined using statistical methods. To this end, the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) was calculated to assess the necessity of each item based on expert opinion, and the Content Validity Index (CVI) was calculated to evaluate the clarity, simplicity, and relevance of the items. The results showed that the scale has high content validity, and that the items are valid in terms of necessity, clarity, simplicity, and relevance to the research objectives. The intervention was then conducted with 66 children aged 7–12 years, all with mild to moderate levels of anxiety.
Results: The results showed a significant reduction in anxiety in the experimental group compared to the control group at both post-test and follow-up (P < 0.001). Other variables, including parents' education level, number of children in the family, and the child's age and gender, did not significantly affect the outcomes. Assessment tools included the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) and the structured clinical interview.
Conclusion: Through gradual exposure to stressful situations, guided by parents, acting as therapy providers in the child's real-life environment, the child's thoughts are examined and challenged, causing the child to become aware of cognitive errors, such as overestimating the risk in a desired situation or underestimating their ability to overcome it. Teaching problem-solving skills helps children cope better with real-life challenges, reducing their anxiety levels. Given the widespread use of smartphones, an online interactive system not only increases access to treatment services for children in need, but also makes therapeutic worksheets more easily accessible and can increase children's motivation and engagement in the treatment process.
Methods: After developing the system, its validity was examined using statistical methods. To this end, the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) was calculated to assess the necessity of each item based on expert opinion, and the Content Validity Index (CVI) was calculated to evaluate the clarity, simplicity, and relevance of the items. The results showed that the scale has high content validity, and that the items are valid in terms of necessity, clarity, simplicity, and relevance to the research objectives. The intervention was then conducted with 66 children aged 7–12 years, all with mild to moderate levels of anxiety.
Results: The results showed a significant reduction in anxiety in the experimental group compared to the control group at both post-test and follow-up (P < 0.001). Other variables, including parents' education level, number of children in the family, and the child's age and gender, did not significantly affect the outcomes. Assessment tools included the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) and the structured clinical interview.
Conclusion: Through gradual exposure to stressful situations, guided by parents, acting as therapy providers in the child's real-life environment, the child's thoughts are examined and challenged, causing the child to become aware of cognitive errors, such as overestimating the risk in a desired situation or underestimating their ability to overcome it. Teaching problem-solving skills helps children cope better with real-life challenges, reducing their anxiety levels. Given the widespread use of smartphones, an online interactive system not only increases access to treatment services for children in need, but also makes therapeutic worksheets more easily accessible and can increase children's motivation and engagement in the treatment process.
Keywords: Childhood anxiety disorder, Cognitive behavioral therapy, intelligent interactive system, Electronic health
type of study: Descriptive |
Subject:
Health Psychologhy
Received: 2022/11/16 | Accepted: 2026/09/2 | ePublished ahead of print: 2026/10/3
Received: 2022/11/16 | Accepted: 2026/09/2 | ePublished ahead of print: 2026/10/3
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