Cited by 232Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychological Treatments and Assessments

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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Youth with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

Ung, Danielle, Selles, Robert, Small, Brent J., Storch, Eric A.·2015·Child Psychiatry & Human Development

DOI 10.1007/s10578-014-0494-y

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Abstract

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been developed and modified to treat anxiety symptoms in youth with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) but has yielded varying findings. The present report is a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the efficacy of CBT for anxiety among youth with ASD. A systematic search identified 14 studies involving 511 youth with high-functioning ASD. A random effects meta-analysis yielded a statistically significant pooled treatment effect size (g) estimate for CBT (g = -0.71, p < .001) with significant heterogeneity [Q (13) = 102.27, p < .001]. Removal of a study outlier yielded a statistically significant pooled treatment effect size, (g = -0.47, p < .001). Anxiety informant and treatment modality were not statistically significant moderators of treatment response. Findings suggest that CBT demonstrates robust efficacy in reducing anxiety symptoms in youth with high-functioning ASD.

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Authors: Ung, D., Selles, R., Small, B. J., & Storch, E. A.
Affiliations: University of South Florida (US)
Corresponding author: Ung, Danielle
ORCID: Selles, Robert
Small, Brent J.
Storch, Eric A.
Venue: Child Psychiatry & Human Development
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2014-09-23
Volume: 46
Issue: 4
Pages: 533-547
ISSN: 0009-398X (ISSN-L)
1573-3327
DOI: 10.1007/s10578-014-0494-y
OpenAlex: W2081456881
Cited by: 231
References: 54
Citations by year: 2026: 9 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 35 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 7
FWCI: 1.07
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Child Psychiatry & Human Development (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: American Psychological Association of Graduate Students
American Psychological Association
International OCD Foundation
Tourette Association of America
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
Keywords: cognitive behavioral therapy, autism spectrum disorder, high-functioning autism, anxiety, youth, treatment efficacy, anxiety symptoms, treatment moderators
MeSH terms: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adolescent, Anxiety Disorders, Child, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Family Therapy, Female, Humans, Intelligence, Male, Psychotherapy, Group, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome

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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Youth with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

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