Differential Efficacy of Home Monitoring and Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Decreasing Children's Maladaptive Nighttime Fears

Abstract

A number of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of brief cognitive-behavioral interventions for treating childhood nighttime fears. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether behavior changes could be initiated and maintained with home monitoring and reinforcement alone. Sixteen children, ages 6 to 11, with severe, disruptive nighttime fears were assigned to either a group receiving only reinforcement and home monitoring or a group receiving reinforcement and home monitoring plus an additional skills component. Results reveal that both groups show a significant reduction in the intensity and frequency of nighttime fears. However, only the group receiving the full treatment package maintained these gains over time.

KEYWORDS:

• child
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• intervention
• nighttime fears
• sleep
• specific phobia