Comparison of reciprocal inhibition, psychotherapy, and waiting list control for phobic children.

Sixty-seven phobic children, ages 6-15, were randomly assigned to a 2 X 3 factorial, repeated-measures, cowriate design which included two male therapists and three time-limited treatments: reciprocal inhibition, psychotherapy, and waiting list control. Following 24 sessions or 3-mo. wait and at 6-wk. follow-up, 5s were reassessed by an independent evaluator and by parents. Results indicated a significant effect due to time and child's age. Clinical evaluation, using initial scores as the covariate, showed no effects of treatment or therapist. Parents reported treatment effects for both target fear and general fear behavior. Therapies were equally efficient, and all treatment effects were achieved with phobic children aged 6-10.