Results from the Child/Adolescent Anxiety Multimodal Longitudinal Study (CAMELS): Functional Outcomes

Objective: To report functional outcomes from the multisite Child/Adolescent Anxiety Multimodal Extended Long-term Study (CAMELS), which examined the impact of youth anxiety treatment (cognitive-behavioral therapy [CBT], coping cat; Sertraline, SRT; COMB [CBT + SRT]; pill placebo) on (a) global and (b) domain-specific functioning assessed an average of 3.1 times, 3-to 12-years postrandomization (first assessment = mean 6.5 years postrandomization). Method: Three-hundred and 19 of 488 families from the Child/Adolescent Anxiety Multimodal Study (CAMS; Walkup et al., 2008) participated. Growth curve modeling examined the impact of treatment condition and acute treatment outcomes (i.e., response, remission) on global functioning, global and domain-specific impairment, and life satisfaction across follow-up visits. Logistic regressions explored the impact of treatment remission and condition on low frequency events (arrests/convictions) and education. Results: Treatment responders and remitters demonstrated better global functioning, decreased overall impairment, and increased life satisfaction at follow-up. Treatment remission, but not response, predicted decreased domain-specific impairment (social relationships, self-care/independence, academic functioning), and maintenance of increased life satisfaction across follow-ups. Participants in the CBT condition, compared with pill placebo, demonstrated improved trajectories pertaining to life satisfaction, overall impairment, and impairment in academic functioning. Randomization to CBT or COMB treatment was associated with increasing employment rates. Trajectories for participants randomized to SRT was not significantly different from placebo. Treatment outcome and condition did not predict legal outcomes, school/work variables, or family life. Conclusion: Positive early intervention outcomes are associated with improved overall functioning, life satisfaction, and functioning within specific domains 6.5 years posttreatment. Treatment type differentially predicted trajectories of functioning. Findings support the positive impact of pediatric anxiety treatment into adolescence and early adulthood.