THE AETIOLOGY AND TREATMENT OF CHILDREN'S PHOBIAS: A REVIEW
S. RACHMAN , and
C. G. COSTELLO 1
1 Institute of Psychiatry, Maudsley Hospital, University of London, Eng.
Mention has been made of Mary Cover Jones's(20, 21) classic studies in which she describes her attempt to develop techniques for eliminating children's fears. The signfficance of this early work is only now becoming recognized. She gives an account of several methods of treatment. Four of these appear to be promising, practical and in accord with present-day learning theory. They are the methods of:
1. Direct conditioning.
2. Social imitation.
3. Systematic distraction and
4. Feeding responses.
The fruitfulness of the behavior theory approach to phobias is well demonstrated if we add to Jones' list the additional new methods which have been, or could be used in overcoming children's phobias.
5. Systematic desensitization (Wolpe)
6. Assertive responses (Wolpe)
7. Relaxation responses (Wolpe)
8. "Pleasant" responses in the life situation–with drug enhancement (Wolpe)
In a suggestive article by Jersild and Holmes(17) further possible methods for treatment of children's fears are discussed. From their survey of parent's experiences in dealing with children's fears, Jersild and Holmes suggest these techniques (among others) : Prompting the child to acquire skills which will enable him to cope with the feared situation; progressive contact with, and participation in, the feared situation; verbal explanation and reassurance; practical demonstration of fearlessness.
Some of these techniques are already employed by prevailing therapies without receiving explicit acknowledgement.
All these methods certainly provide therapists with a formidable armamentarium to begin with. What is now required is careful, thorough investigation of these methods and above all a major project to establish the degree and permanence of improvements which may be obtained by these techniques.
In the meantime, active therapists may consider conducting their own investigations of these methods when faced with children suffering from phobic conditions. Obviously the choice of the method will depend to a considerable extent on the nature of the phobia. It is worth remembering also that these methods are not mutually exclusive and it is probable that in many cases a combination of these techniques may offer the most promising approach.
