Parent-administered Cognitive Bias Modification Training Intervention in Preschool Children

Abstract Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretation (CBM-I) has proven effective in changing anxiety-related cognitive biases in children and adults by promoting positive interpretations of ambiguous scenarios. However, there are currently no CBM-I programs available for preschool children. This experimental study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the parent-administered Cognitive Bias Modification Training Intervention (CBMT-I) with Portuguese preschool children exhibiting high levels of interpretation bias. Forty preschoolers and their parents participated in the study, completing measures assessing temperament and parenting styles. The children were presented with story stems and asked to complete them. A control group received no training, while an intervention group showed a significant reduction in interpretation bias scores compared to the control group. These findings suggest that parent-delivered interventions can help preschool children develop positive cognitive styles in dealing with ambiguity. The clinical implications of the study are discussed.