A research group led by Yuko Urao, Project Lecturer at the Research Center for Child Mental Development and Education, Chiba University, Riko Yoshida, Part-time Lecturer, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, and Yasunori Sato, Associate Professor, Keio University School of Medicine, is working to prevent anxiety disorders in children. Using a shortened version of the cognitive-behavioral therapy program "Journey of the Brave," and verifying its effectiveness in elementary schools, it was confirmed that it was effective in reducing anxiety.
According to Chiba University, the research group conducted a shortened version consisting of 1 sessions of 20 minutes per session, once a week during the morning school activities of fifth graders. 14 people were divided into a group who received the program and a group who did not receive it, and a questionnaire survey was conducted two months later to examine the effect.The results revealed that anxiety symptoms in the group receiving the program were significantly reduced compared to the group not receiving the program.
Anxiety (anxiety disorder) is a common mental illness in children.It can negatively affect self-esteem and cause poor academic performance.Some children tend to miss school because they avoid social interaction or have difficulty forming relationships with friends.
In 2014, the research group developed a cognitive-behavioral therapy program, "The Hero's Journey," and introduced it to schools.However, one session was 1 minutes long, and it took 45 weeks to complete all the sessions.For this reason, a large amount of class time had to be devoted to implementation, and a program that could be implemented in a short period of time was desired.
