ERIC Number: EJ1476847
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jun
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1866-2625
EISSN: EISSN-1866-2633
Available Date: 2025-05-08
Feasibility, Fidelity, Satisfaction, and Preliminary Open Trial Student Outcomes of a Brief School-Based Intervention to Reduce Student Anxiety during the Transition to Middle School
Golda S. Ginsburg1; Jamie LoCurto2; Kevin M. Rodriguez1; Adam Panek1; Grace Chan1
School Mental Health, v17 n2 p352-371 2025
The transition from elementary to middle school is associated with increases in anxiety and related impairment, yet few evidence-based interventions exist to support students with impairing anxiety during this transition. This study describes the feasibility of a novel intervention, delivered by school mental health professionals (SMHPs), for students with impairing anxiety who are transitioning from elementary to middle school. The multi-component group intervention, referred to as TEAMSS (Transitioning Emotionally and Academically to Middle School Successfully), focuses on lowering anxiety and increasing academic organizational and social skills. TEAMSS was evaluated in two open trials over two academic school years with a total of 21 students (M age: 10.8 years old; 67% female; 76% Caucasian). Intervention feasibility, fidelity, and satisfaction ratings are presented. Preliminary pre-post student outcomes of anxiety and related impairment were collected from independent evaluators, parents, and students. Results indicated that the intervention was feasible to conduct in schools (100% of student group meetings were delivered), fidelity was fair, and satisfaction ratings were positive. Preliminary pre-post student outcomes revealed statistically significant reductions in student anxiety symptoms according to independent evaluators (but not child or parent report). Parents reported reducing maladaptive accommodation of anxiety; no improvements in academic organizational or social skills were observed. Lessons learned from this feasibility study are discussed. TEAMSS has the potential to fill a gap in the school-based intervention literature for students with anxiety transitioning to middle school but requires a randomized controlled trial to determine its efficacy.
Descriptors: Intervention, Program Effectiveness, Stress Management, Anxiety, Student Promotion, Transitional Programs, Elementary School Students, Middle School Students, Academic Achievement, Interpersonal Competence, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Student Improvement, Student Adjustment
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Related Records: TD653244
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R324A210085
Department of Education Funded: Yes
Author Affiliations: 1University of Connecticut School of Medicine, West Hartford, USA; 2Child Health and Development Institute, Farmington, USA