@article{ref1,
title="Spiritual counseling program for children with anxiety disorders: a multi-city experiment",
journal="Journal of pastoral care and counseling",
year="2018",
author="Pandya, Samta P.",
volume="72",
number="1",
pages="45-57",
abstract="This article reports on a multi-city two-year long experiment on the effect of a spiritual counseling program (SCP) on children diagnosed with anxiety disorders. The two-year customized SCP was conducted with 1238 children from 20 private schools in five cities across five countries, with an equal number in a control group. <br><br>RESULTS showed that post-treatment self-reported and counselor-tested anxiety outcome measure scores were lower for the treatment group. Girls, children from more affluent cities, middle-class children, and those who had one stay-at-home parent and no siblings showed reduced anxiety disorders post-treatment. Children who voluntarily attended more SCP rounds than those prescribed and those who regularly self-practiced also showed lower anxiety symptoms post-treatment. Child-focused spiritual counseling intervention comprising components of connection with God within, recognizing and annihilating fear through introspection and breath control, stilling, centering, and consciousness seemed effective. Socio-cultural factors, parental involvement, and child's own engagement with the treatment were significant determinants of effectiveness.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1542-3050",
doi="10.1177/1542305018761631",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1542305018761631"
}