Compare the effectiveness of maternal training based on attachment-based intervention and cognitive-behavioral intervention on multiple dimensions of anxiety in children with separation anxiety disorder

Background and Purpose: Separation anxiety disorder is one of the most common anxiety disorders in childhood, which, if left untreated, can lead to severe disorders in adulthood.This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of maternal training based on attachment-based intervention and cognitivebehavioral intervention on multiple dimensions of anxiety in children with separation anxiety disorder.Method: This study was quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design, a control group, and a three-month follow-up.The statistical population included all mothers of elementary school students with separation anxiety disorder in Educational District One of Sari City in the academic year 2022-2023.Through purposive sampling, 45 participants were selected and randomly assigned to three groups of 15 students (15 in the attachment-based intervention group, 15 in the cognitive-behavioral group, and 15 in the control group).Data collection tools included the Separation Anxiety Assessment Scale-Parent version (SAAS-P) (Han et al., 2003) and The Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) (March et al. , 1997).The data was analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and SPSS-26 software.Results: The results showed significant difference between the attachment-based intervention and the cognitive-behavioral intervention in reducing the multiple dimensions of anxiety (F = 4.207, P = 0.0001).Furthermore, in the post-test phase, both interventions showed equally significant effects on the various dimensions of anxiety, and the sustained effectiveness of both interventions was also observed in the follow-up phase (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Based on these findings, both attachment-based intervention, which focuses on improving emotional relationships and reducing separation-related worry, and cognitive-behavioral intervention, which aims to modify maladaptive thought patterns and enhance coping skills, can be considered effective methods for decreasing multiple dimensions of anxiety in children with separation anxiety disorder.Therefore, it is recommended to use both methods depending on the circumstances of the client.