Short Research Article: Changes in life functioning in a self-help, online program for child and adolescent anxiety.

Background: Anxiety-related functional impairment, as reflected by life interference, is a lesser explored but highly relevant treatment outcome, and it is crucial that it be included and examined in the evaluation of treatment outcomes of internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT).

Methods: This single group, pre-post study examined changes in life interference and anxiety symptoms in a sample of children (n = 1198; mean age 9.66 years) and adolescents (n = 721; mean age 13.66 years) participating in the BRAVE Self-Help program in Australia.

Results: Results demonstrated that both children and adolescents showed improvements in anxiety symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from η  = .194-.318. Reductions in life interference were evident for children (η  = .008-.044), particularly later in the programme, but adolescents did not show such effects. Adolescents in the low completer group (completing 3-5 sessions) showed increases in at-home interference (η  = .038).

Conclusions: Adolescents in particular may require more sessions before entrenched life interference, such as that resulting from avoidance behaviours, can be overcome.