Comparison of reciprocal inhibition, psychotherapy, and waiting list control for phobic children.

Randomly assigned 67 phobic 6-15 yr. olds to a 2 * 3 factorial, repeated-measures, covariate design which included 2 male therapists and 3 time-limited treatments: reciprocal inhibition, psychotherapy, and waiting list control. Following 24 sessions or 3-mo wait and at 6-wk follow-up, Ss were reassessed by an independent evaluator and by parents. Results indicate a significant effect due to time and S's age. Clinical evaluation, using initial scores as the covariate, showed no effects of treatment or therapist. Parents reported treatment effects for both target fear and general fear behavior. Therapies were equally efficient, and all treatment effects were achieved with Ss aged 6-10. (48 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)