The effects of a computerized anxiety intervention program on rural elementary school children
Year: 2012
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: In today's economy, public schools are experiencing budget cuts; programs deemed "non-essential" to academic education (sports, music, mental health, or theatre) see funding dwindle or removed completely.Many schools are looking for ways to create broader based programs in order to increase applicability while minimizing costs.For example, a number of classrooms from the Rural School District Consortium based in Newberg, Oregon are being referred to the behavioral health practicum students from George Fox University for behavioral interventions.In reviewing numerous studies and meta-analyses in order to create a broadly applicable intervention, applied research indicates that individual anxiety is a common underlying cause of social disturbances in group settings.Many studies utilized evidence-based group interventions.Note that none of these interventions were designed for implementation with an entire classroom, nor were the interventions computerized. Computerized Anxiety Intervention ivThis study consisted of administering Behavioral Assessment System for Children-2 nd Edition, (BASC-2), protocols to both the teacher and parents of a 5 th grade classroom, providing an intervention, and then applying and reviewing a second round of BASC-2 protocols completed by the parents and teachers.Specifically, the intervention involved utilization of the "Camp Cope-A-Lot" computerized program with the children as a whole group.The participants were a classroom comprised of male and female students between ten and twelve years old.This particular class, the only 5 th grade at a rural elementary school, is designated part of a rural school due to their participation in the Rural School District Consortium.After implementation of "Camp Cope-A-Lot" with the class, there was no significant reduction in the behavioral indications of anxiety in the children.Observations by teachers and parents were documented separately.There was an increase in the manifestations of adaptive behaviors as observed by the parents, but not as observed by the teacher.The results of comparative t-tests and statistical analyses are dissected in the Results section of this paper.This study has the potential to assist in creating effective group interventions to provide mental health services to underserved rural schools.Computerized Anxiety Intervention v Acknowledgements Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.Thank You, God, for this amazing journey that has brought me so much growth.My aim has always been to see people through Your eyes, and care for them as You care for me.Thank you, Mom and Dad, for all of your ceaseless support.You have both been so wonderfully loving and encouraging of my endeavors throughout my life.You gave me two amazing examples to follow as I grew up and I cannot thank you enough for all of your thoughtful guidance and unselfish love.And Angela.You are my beautiful sister not by chance,
Author: Amanda Marie Shimek
Language: English
Subfield: Applied Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W745995477