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Children and parents' experiences of cognitive behavioral therapy for dental anxiety – a qualitative study
Author(s) -
Shahnavaz Shervin,
Rutley Sara,
Larsson Karin,
Dahllöf Göran
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of paediatric dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.183
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1365-263X
pISSN - 0960-7439
DOI - 10.1111/ipd.12181
Subject(s) - anxiety , thematic analysis , feeling , coping (psychology) , medicine , clinical psychology , theme (computing) , cognition , qualitative research , psychotherapist , autonomy , psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , social science , sociology , computer science , political science , law , operating system
Background There is a high prevalence of dental anxiety in children and adolescents. Cognitive behavioral therapy is emerging as a treatment option. Aim The purpose of this study is to explore how children with dental anxiety and their parents experience cognitive behavioral therapy ( CBT ) in dentistry. Design We interviewed 12 children and one of their parents and conducted a thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews. Results Perspective shift emerged as overarching theme in our thematic analysis. This theme consisted of three main themes, which were mastery, safety, and reduced fear. Six subthemes were also identified according to our analyses. Mastery includes two subthemes, gradual exposure and autonomy and control. Subthemes and sources for safety feeling were therapeutic alliance and changed appraisal. The theme reduced fear also consisted of two subthemes; reduced anticipatory anxiety and coping. Conclusions The results show that parents and children had positive experiences of CBT and its outcome and were able to benefit from this psychological treatment when dealing with dental anxiety.