Michelle L. Benstead
Deakin University, Australia
Title: BEST-Foundations: A family-based attachment-focused intervention treating emotional disorders in children
Biography
Biography: Michelle L. Benstead
Abstract
Emotional disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are pervasive disorders that have roots in early life. While emotional disorders are more prevalent in adolescence, research indicates that symptoms present much earlier. Identifying early modifiable risk factors provides a window of opportunity for intervention that is currently largely overlooked. Despite strong evidence demonstrating highly co-morbid symptoms, interventions have often treated anxiety and depression in isolation. The current intervention addresses the need for trans-diagnostic interventions for treatment and prevention of emotional disorders in children. BEST-Foundations have been developed to target modifiable risk factors associated with emotional disordered symptomology in children aged 3-11 years. The intervention includes all family members and is designed to address three aims: to improve symptoms of emotional disorders in children; to increase parental confidence and knowledge; and to improve overall family functioning. The 10-session intervention draws on theoretical principles of attachment theory and family systems, includes components of psycho-education, and builds on the empirically-supported BEST program. BEST-Foundations is currently being piloted and will employ a mixed method study design to analyze data. A case-series analysis will be employed to assess change over time, as well as within and between participant comparisons. Qualitative methods will be utilized to gain insight into the participants’ experience and meaning of the intervention, and researchers’ observations of participants’ interactions. Preliminary results appear promising, and a larger randomized control trial is planned post-pilot, to determine efficacy.
