Investigating dysfunctional cognition change as a putative mechanism of CBT for youth anxiety, OCD and PTSD: protocol for an individual participant data meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common in children and adolescents and can lead to significant impairment. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with exposure is the first-line treatment, yet approximately half of treated youth do not achieve full remission. Dysfunctional cognitions-negative automatic thoughts, maladaptive beliefs and distorted interpretations-are considered key targets of CBT, but evidence in youth is mixed and underpowered. This study will examine whether change in dysfunctional cognitions mediates treatment outcome in anxiety, OCD and PTSD symptoms and whether this association varies across individual characteristics.

Methods and analysis

An individual participant data meta-an

SUBMITTER: Buric I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12682165 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature