Examining Changes in the Cognitive Attentional Syndrome and Attentional Control Following Metacognitive Therapy for Children with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Research has shown that the metacognitive model is applicable to children, and emerging evidence suggests that metacognitive therapy might be an effective treatment for children with anxiety disorders. However, few studies have investigated whether metacognitive therapy for children (MCT-c) improves the factors that maintain anxiety according to the metacognitive model. The current study investigated changes in metacognitive beliefs, cognitive attentional syndrome (CAS), and attentional control (attentional focusing and shifting) in children with generalized anxiety disorder following group MCT-c. A total of 20 children aged 7 to 13 years (M = 9.45) completed group MCT-c and reported on their levels of metacognitions, CAS strategies, and attentional control before and after treatment. Results indicated significant reductions in metacognitive beliefs, and CAS strategies, as well as improvements in attentional shifting following metacognitive therapy. Attentional focusing was not improved significantly after treatment. Clinical implications of the results are discussed.