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A systematic review and meta-analysis of psychological interventions to improve mental wellbeing

Author

Listed:
  • Joep Agteren

    (South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    Flinders University)

  • Matthew Iasiello

    (South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    Flinders University
    Flinders University)

  • Laura Lo

    (South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute)

  • Jonathan Bartholomaeus

    (South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    The University of Adelaide
    South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute)

  • Zoe Kopsaftis

    (University of South Australia
    The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Central Adelaide Local Health Network
    The University of Adelaide)

  • Marissa Carey

    (South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute)

  • Michael Kyrios

    (South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    Flinders University
    Flinders University)

Abstract

Our current understanding of the efficacy of psychological interventions in improving mental states of wellbeing is incomplete. This study aimed to overcome limitations of previous reviews by examining the efficacy of distinct types of psychological interventions, irrespective of their theoretical underpinning, and the impact of various moderators, in a unified systematic review and meta-analysis. Four-hundred-and-nineteen randomized controlled trials from clinical and non-clinical populations (n = 53,288) were identified for inclusion. Mindfulness-based and multi-component positive psychological interventions demonstrated the greatest efficacy in both clinical and non-clinical populations. Meta-analyses also found that singular positive psychological interventions, cognitive and behavioural therapy-based, acceptance and commitment therapy-based, and reminiscence interventions were impactful. Effect sizes were moderate at best, but differed according to target population and moderator, most notably intervention intensity. The evidence quality was generally low to moderate. While the evidence requires further advancement, the review provides insight into how psychological interventions can be designed to improve mental wellbeing.

Suggested Citation

  • Joep Agteren & Matthew Iasiello & Laura Lo & Jonathan Bartholomaeus & Zoe Kopsaftis & Marissa Carey & Michael Kyrios, 2021. "A systematic review and meta-analysis of psychological interventions to improve mental wellbeing," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 5(5), pages 631-652, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:5:y:2021:i:5:d:10.1038_s41562-021-01093-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01093-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Lacey, Lindsey & Mishra, Nirajana & Mukherjee, Priya & Prakash, Nikhilesh & Prakash, Nishith & Quinn, Diane & Sabarwal, Shwetlena & Saraswat, Deepak, 2024. "Can Destigmatizing Mental Health Increase Willingness to Seek Help? Experimental Evidence from Nepal," IZA Discussion Papers 17166, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Holli-Anne Passmore & Ying Yang & Sarena Sabine, 2022. "An Extended Replication Study of the Well-Being Intervention, the Noticing Nature Intervention (NNI)," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2663-2683, August.
    3. Agnieszka Bojanowska & Łukasz D. Kaczmarek & Beata Urbanska & Malwina Puchalska, 2022. "Acting on Values: A Novel Intervention Enhancing Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 3889-3908, December.
    4. Lindsey Lacey & Nirajana Mishra & Priya Mukherjee & Nikhilesh Prakash & Nishith Prakash & Diane Quinn & Shwetlena Sabarwal & Deepak Saraswat, 2024. "Can Destigmatizing Mental Health Increase Willingness to Seek Help? Experimental Evidence from Nepal," CESifo Working Paper Series 11241, CESifo.
    5. Zane Asher Green & Sophie Rizwan, 2023. "Art-of-Living Intervention Imparted Through a Blended Learning Approach to Nurture Positivity Among Pakistan’s University Students During COVID-19: A Growth Curve Analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(6), pages 1931-1962, August.
    6. Santini, Ziggi Ivan & Thygesen, Lau Caspar & Koyanagi, Ai & Stewart-Brown, Sarah & Meilstrup, Charlotte & Nielsen, Line & Olsen, Kim Rose & Birkjær, Michael & McDaid, David & Koushede, Vibeke & Ekholm, 2022. "Economics of mental wellbeing: a prospective study estimating associated productivity costs due to sickness absence from the workplace in Denmark," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 116690, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    7. Robert Ribanszki & Katie S Taylor & Johanna Scheutzow & Jose Andres Saez Fonseca & Sonia Ponzo, 2022. "Welfare systems and mental health in OECD and EEA countries: a scoping review," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.

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