Test of the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of a group-based cognitive behavioural therapy-based indicative prevention program for children with elevated anxiety levels.

In this randomized controlled trial (RCT with 2 conditions, intervention and control group) the effectiveness of a CBT program (Coping Cat) in the form of an indicative group-based prevention will be evaluated. The second aim is to gain insight into the mechanisms underlying its effectiveness.
Primary school children (grades 5 till 8) in the intervention condition receive the program consisting of 12 lessons of 1 hour that will be implemented after school time. Measurements of primary and secondary outcomes will be conducted in the intervention and control group at baseline, directly before each lesson and at 3 months follow up.

The main aim of this project is to conduct a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of an adapted and translated version of Coping Cat in the form of an indicative group-based prevention program.



The main aim of this project is to conduct a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of a CBT group treatment program (“Coping Cat”) in the form of an indicative anxiety prevention program. The second aim it to gain insight into the mechanisms underlying its effectiveness. Coping Cat will be tested in Dutch primary school children (grades 5-8) with elevated levels of anxiety. It is hypothesized that children in the intervention condition will experience reduced levels of anxiety in comparison with the control group. Three potential mediators will be examined, namely active coping, cognitions about coping and positive cognitive restructuring.

1. Screening;

2. Baseline (just before start intervention);

2. Directly before each lesson (child reports only);

3. Three month after last lesson (follow-up).

Children randomly assigned to the intervention condition will receive a 12-session, 1-h group therapy. Therapy will take place at the schools, after regular school hours. Children will fill in questionnaires before each lesson.



Participating children in the control condition will only fill in questionnaires at the same time points. After the 3-month follow-up assessment, they will also get the chance to follow the program.