OVERCOMING ANXIETY IN ADOLESCENCE: THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EDUCATION FOR PARENTS

Abstract

This article examines the role of psychological education for parents in overcoming adolescent anxiety. The study was conducted within a formative research framework using a qualitative pre-experimental design involving a single group with pre- and post-measurements and one independent variable following the OXO scheme. The results of the anxiety study using the SCARED-C scale (for adolescents) and the SCARED-P scale (a parent-report measure of the child’s anxiety) were compared before and after the implementation of the psychological education programme for parents. It is important to note that the results obtained from previously mentioned scales are primarily screening, therefore further in-depth analysis of anxiety indicators is needed. The goal of the programme for parents was to increase psychological competence in supporting adolescents in overcoming anxiety, as well as to develop parents` skills of effective communication and emotional support. The statistical significance of the study results was verified using the G-sign criterion. Results from the SCARED-C scale showed that after the implementation of the psychological education programme for parents, the proportion of adolescents with low levels of general anxiety increased, while the proportion of children with medium and high levels of general anxiety decreased. The analysis of individual anxiety indicators using the SCARED-C scale also showed improvement after the implementation of the psychological education programme for parents. A decrease in the proportion of children with symptoms of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, social and school phobia was found. Results from the SCARED-P scale also revealed a similar trend: the proportion of adolescents with low levels of general anxiety increased, while the proportion of children with medium and high levels of general anxiety decreased. The analysis of individual anxiety indicators based on the SCARED-P scale also showed positive changes after the implementation of the psychological education programme. It should be noted that the most pronounced improvements on both the SCARED-C scale (adolescent survey) and the SCARED-P scale (parent survey) are observed in symptoms of panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, which emphasizes the greatest effectiveness of the developed programme specifically with regard to these anxiety indicators. Overall, the identified trends indicate the effectiveness of the implemented psychological education programme for parents, since both adolescents and their parents reported a decrease in symptoms of general anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, social and school phobia. Statistical confirmation of the effectiveness of the psychological education programme is provided by the data obtained using the G-sign criterion, which was used to analyse the dynamics of anxiety indicators on the SCARED-C and SCARED-P scales. The developed programme can be used to strengthen family support resources and reduce anxiety level during adolescence.