"A quantitative review about the psychological treatments of snakes and spiders phobia in children and adolescents"
Rosa Alcázar, Ana Isabel (Dpto. Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamiento Psicológico, Universidad de Murcia (Spain))
Orgilés Amorós, Mireia (Dpto. Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamiento Psicológico, Universidad de Murcia (Spain))
Méndez Carrillo, Xavier (Dpto. Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamiento Psicológico, Universidad de Murcia (Spain))


ABSTRACT

A meta-analysis was performed on the effectiveness of psychological treatment for snakes and spiders phobias in childhood and adolescence. Six scientific reports were identified and led to 15 independent studies. Two hundred and nine children, with an average age of 11 and predominantly girls (76,80%), took part. The psychological treatments was highly effective (d+ = 1,77) and the more effective procedure was modeling (d+ = 2,33). Results were better when therapy was brief and intensive, it was performed in a natural environment, and the feared animals were snakes. Response to treatment was better in the youngest children and in boys. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.


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