VT College of Science Magazine Summer 2008 | Page 18

Issue No. 5 suMMeR 2008 C o l l e g e o f S C i e n C e M a g a z i n e 16 iS your Child fearful or afraid? Treatment program helps children stare fear in the face Virginia Tech’s Child Study Center, part of the College of Science, is seeking children with phobias and their parents to participate in a study of the effectiveness of parental involvement in treating their children’s fears. In order to be considered for the project, children must be between the ages of 7 and 12, have a specific phobia, and be able to travel to Blacksburg, Va., for the treatment program. “Approximately 5 percent of children experience some type of phobia,” said Thomas Ollendick, University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology and lead investigator for the study. The types of phobias children have are almost endless, but the more common ones include fears of bees, dogs, spiders, heights, storms, costumed characters, enclosed places, and the dark. Ollendick said. “For many children, phobias result in considerable school difficulties, social and personal problems, and interference in their everyday functioning.” The four-year National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)-funded study is a follow up to a similar study Ollendick and his research team recently carried out in Virginia and Sweden. That study focused on treating children with phobias, but did not include their parents in the treatment. Results of that study showed that about 60 percent of the children were phobia-free immediately following treatment and about 75 percent were phobia-free one year after treatment. Participants who qualify for the study will receive $250 per family for their involvement in the various assessments that are needed to evaluate how well the treatments work. The treatment itself is free and confidential. The study will be conducted over the next four years, and 154 children and their families are needed. For more information, contact the Child Study Center at 540/231-8276 or [email protected]. HELP OUR RESEARCH! In a separate NIMH-funded project, the Child Study Center is examining treatments for children with oppositional or defiant behavior. This project is looking for youngsters between the ages of 8 and 14 who may present one or more of the following characteristics:  Temper outbursts  Persistent stubbornness  Resistance to directions  Unwillingness to compromise  Deliberate testing of limits  Verbal aggression All treatment sessions are free of charge, and families will earn up to $150 for completing the study. Approximately 5 percent of children experience some type of phobia. Common ones include fears of bees, dogs, spiders, heights, and storms. To be considered for this study, contact the center at 540/231-8276 or [email protected].