Foreword/Prologo

As the initial issue of this special series detailed (Garcia-Lopez and Storch, 2008), our objective is to provide to readers not just a review of the state-of-art information on childhood anxiety, but to highlight forthcoming research lines. Opening this issue, Keeley and Storch review the nature and treatment of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder, a condition that has received considerable empirical attention among the anxiety disorders given its impairing nature to both the affected child and his/her family. A particular effort is made by the authors to provide information to readers on areas that warrant future research. A multi-site paper written by DeArellano, Bridges, Hernandez-Tejada, Ruggiero, Vasquez, Acierno, and Danielson provides an overview of the psychological literature in childhood PTSD. In an attempt to answer questions regarding prevalence, differential diagnosis, available therapeutic interventions, the authors pay particular attention to biological, individual, and cultural factors, and finally to challenges to be faced. Next, Suveg, Jacob, and Thomassin present a thorough review of the literature on generalized anxiety disorder in youth. This article is notable for the integration of biological, behavioral, and environmental factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of the disorder, providing the reader with a model for conceptualizing the illness presentation and treatment approach. As the last review paper, Irurtia, Caballo, and Ovejero discuss substance-induced anxiety disorder in children and adolescents by means of a psychological, social and biological perspective. The authors focus on prevention and treatment of this understudied disorder and point out the need for interdisciplinary approaches to treatment and assessment. Given that the literature on the role that parental involvement may play on developing and/or maintaining anxiety in their children is limited and sometimes even contradictory, Espinosa contributes with a comprehensive review of this issue. An empirical paper by Suarez, Polo, Chen, and Alegria reports on the prevalence and correlates of childhood-onset anxiety disorders among U.S.-born whites and Latinos, and foreign-born Latinos. The significant differences that they showed between U.S. and foreign-born subjects are suggestive of the high rates of child anxiety disorders among North American born individuals. Other notable features of this article include data on the course and associated impairment, which held across ethnic groups. In their article on cognitive-behavioral treatment of anxiety in Latino youth, Pina, Villalta, and Zerr discuss a model for working with minority youth, specifically those of Mexican-origin. Preliminary data from their lab are presented along with directions for future study. This paper is particularly notable for the manner in which the authors adapt 'standard' clinic-based interventions to fit the unique cultural needs of their clients in order to maximize therapeutic outcome. Finally, Ginsburg and Becker conclude the series by providing thoughtful commentary on the present day status of the child anxiety literature, and what areas must be addressed by future research. Several areas, in particular, are noted including focusing on novel and augmenting interventions, tailoring treatment for the individual person, and disseminating clinical care to the masses.