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The Efficacy of Multi-component Positive Psychology Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

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  • Tom Hendriks

    (Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname)

  • Marijke Schotanus-Dijkstra

    (University of Twente)

  • Aabidien Hassankhan

    (Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname)

  • Joop Jong

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Ernst Bohlmeijer

    (University of Twente)

Abstract

Recently, we see a sharp increase in the number of multi-component positive psychology interventions (MPPIs). The aim of the current study is to examine the efficacy of MPPIs, through a systematic review and meta-analysis. We included 50 randomized controlled trials that were published in 51 articles between 1998 and August 2018. We found standardized mean differences of Hedges’ g = 0.34 for subjective well-being, Hedges’ g = 0.39 for psychological well-being, indicating small to moderate effects, and Hedges’ g = 0.29 for depression, and Hedges’ g = 0.35 for anxiety and stress, indicating small effects. Removing outliers led to a considerable decrease in effect sizes for subjective well-being and depression, a slight decrease for psychological well-being, and a strong increase in the effect size for stress. Removing low quality studies led to a considerable decrease in the effect sizes for subjective well-being, psychological well-being, and depression, and a slight decrease for anxiety, but a strong increase for stress. Moderator analyses only showed a significant effect for study quality, showing larger effect sizes for low quality studies compared to studies of moderate and high quality. In addition, a larger effect size for anxiety was found in studies from non-Western countries compared to studies from Western countries. In sum, this systematic review and meta-analysis found evidence for the efficacy of MPPIs in improving mental health. We conclude that MPPIs have a small effect on subjective well-being and depression, and a small to moderate effect on psychological well-being. In addition, they may have a small to moderate effect on anxiety and a moderate effect on stress, but definite conclusions of the effects of MPPIs on these outcomes cannot me made due to the limited number of studies. Further well-conducted research among diverse populations is necessary to strengthen claims on the efficacy of MPPIs.

Suggested Citation

  • Tom Hendriks & Marijke Schotanus-Dijkstra & Aabidien Hassankhan & Joop Jong & Ernst Bohlmeijer, 2020. "The Efficacy of Multi-component Positive Psychology Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 357-390, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00082-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-019-00082-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Cyntia Mendes de Oliveira & Carla Regina Santos Almeida & Claudia Hofheinz Giacomoni, 2022. "School-Based Positive Psychology Interventions that Promote Well-Being in Children: A Systematic Review," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(5), pages 1583-1600, October.
    2. Hugo Briseño & Guillermo Estefani & Alejandra Núñez-Acosta & Manuel Soto-Pérez, 2022. "Urban Risks and Their Influence on Subjective Well-being Around the World," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1617-1636, April.
    3. Ahmet Alkal & Sabahattin Çam, 2024. "The Effect of Online Multi-Component Positive Psychology Intervention on Adolescents’ Risky Behaviors and Psychological Flexibility: A Mixed Method Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(8), pages 1-30, December.
    4. 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.
    5. Yuan Zheng & Jingyi Zhou & Xianglong Zeng & Mingyan Jiang & Tian P. S. Oei, 2022. "A New Second-Generation Mindfulness-Based Intervention Focusing on Well-Being: A Randomized Control Trial of Mindfulness-Based Positive Psychology," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2703-2724, August.
    6. Miranda R. Chilver & Justine M. Gatt, 2022. "Six-Week Online Multi-component Positive Psychology Intervention Improves Subjective Wellbeing in Young Adults," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 1267-1288, March.
    7. Dr. Umbreen Khizar & Dr. Dawood Nawaz & Mehak Haroon & Husni Mubarak, 2021. "Moderating Role of Social Connectedness on Forgiveness and Subjective Happiness Among Adults," iRASD Journal of Economics, International Research Alliance for Sustainable Development (iRASD), vol. 3(3), pages 240-250, December.
    8. Sylvia Y. C. L. Kwok & Minmin Gu & Nelson W. Y. Tam, 2022. "A Multiple Component Positive Psychology Intervention to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Happiness in Adolescents: The Mediating Roles of Gratitude and Emotional Intelligence," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(5), pages 2039-2058, June.
    9. Valérie Benoit & Piera Gabola, 2021. "Effects of Positive Psychology Interventions on the Well-Being of Young Children: A Systematic Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-19, November.
    10. Yi Zhou & Yinglong Duan & Jian Zhou & Ning Qin & Xiangyu Liu & Yue Kang & Ziyu Wan & Xing Zhou & Yuxuan Li & Juan Luo & Jianfei Xie & Andy SK Cheng, 2024. "Character Strength-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Focusing on Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients with Distress: A Randomized Control Trial of Positive Psychology," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(7), pages 1-27, October.
    11. Wei Loong Lim & Stephanie Tierney, 2023. "The Effectiveness of Positive Psychology Interventions for Promoting Well-being of Adults Experiencing Depression Compared to Other Active Psychological Treatments: A Systematic Review and Meta-analys," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 249-273, January.
    12. Diego García-Álvarez & María José Soler & Rubia Cobo-Rendón & Juan Hernández-Lalinde, 2022. "Positive Psychology Applied to Education in Practicing Teachers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Personal Resources, Well-Being, and Teacher Training," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-12, September.
    13. Jing Ling Tay & Yong Shian Shawn Goh & Kang Sim & Piyanee Klainin-Yobas, 2022. "Impact of the HOPE Intervention on Mental Health Literacy, Psychological Well-Being and Stress Levels amongst University Undergraduates: A Randomised Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, August.
    14. Romualdas Malinauskas & Vilija Malinauskiene, 2022. "Meta-Analysis of Psychological Interventions for Reducing Stress, Anxiety, and Depression among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-17, July.
    15. Sameena F. Sheikh-Wu & Debbie Anglade & Karina Gattamorta & Charles A. Downs, 2023. "Relationships Between Colorectal Cancer Survivors’ Positive Psychology, Symptoms, and Quality of Life," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 32(1), pages 171-184, January.
    16. Jannis Kraiss & Kleinjan Redelinghuys & Laura. A. Weiss, 2022. "The effects of psychological interventions on well-being measured with the Mental Health Continuum: a meta-analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(7), pages 3655-3689, October.
    17. Anne Kennes & Johan Lataster & Mayke Janssens & Marianne Simons & Jennifer Reijnders & Nele Jacobs & Sanne Peeters, 2023. "Efficacy of a School-Based Mental Health Intervention Based on Mindfulness and Character Strengths Use Among Adolescents: a Pilot Study of Think Happy-Be Happy Intervention," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 677-697, February.

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