A world first study to understand phobias in early childhood
The Pre-schoolers Overcoming Phobias (POP!) study is a nationally funded treatment study of young children (3 to 6 years) with specific phobias.
The program aims to learn more about the course of childhood fears in young children, and involves testing a novel, brief intervention for childhood phobias, which has proven effective in older children and with adults.
POP! is FREE and your child will get:
- A comprehensive psychological assessment;
- random assignment to one of two treatment conditions or a waitlist monitoring condition;
- a series of follow-up phone calls spanning 24 months to track progress.
What does POP! involve?
The POP! program is examining the effectiveness of brief cognitive-behavioural treatment for specific phobias in children 3 to 6 years of age.
The study is a randomised controlled trial aiming to learn more about the course of childhood fears in young children, and involves testing a novel, brief intervention for childhood phobias.
What is a specific phobia?
Children with specific phobias are excessively afraid of certain situations or objects such as dogs, the dark, costume characters, high places, water, or insects.
Children become extremely distressed and will avoid going to certain places or doing things where they may encounter their feared object or situation. Specific phobias cause significant interference in the lives of children and their families.
Specific phobias affect approximately 10% of children, adolescents, and adults. They are among the earliest disorders to onset, occurring in children as young as 3 years.
Importance of Early Treatment
Research suggests that phobias in childhood may be a gateway disorder for a host of later adult mental health disorders, if not treated early in life.Our trial aims to detect and treat phobias in young children with a single session treatment, reducing child anxiety and fear, and preventing later mental health disorders.