The DOI matches its Crossref record; 30 of the 30 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Problem solving therapies for depression: A meta-analysis
Abstract
Purpose: In the past decades, the effects of problem-solving therapy (PST) for depression have been examined in several randomized controlled studies. However, until now no meta-analysis has tried to integrate the results of these studies. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search and identified 13 randomized studies examining the effects of PST, with a total of 1133 subjects. The quality of studies varied. Results: The mean standardized effect size was 0.34 in the fixed effects model and 0.83 in the random effects model, with very high heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses indicated significantly lower effects for individual interventions in studies with subjects who met criteria for major depression, studies in which intention-to-treat analyses were conducted instead of completers-only analyses, and studies with pill placebo and care-as-usual control groups. Heterogeneity was high, and the subgroup analyses did not result in clear indications of what caused this high heterogeneity. This indicates that PST has varying effects on depression, and that it is not known to date what determines whether PST has larger of smaller effects. Conclusion: Although there is no doubt that PST can be an effective treatment for depression, more research is needed to ascertain the conditions and subjects in which these positive effects are realized.
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In the citing paper
“depression can be treated effectively with different forms of psychotherapies [13-18]”
From Long-Term Results of a Web-Based Guided Self-Help Intervention for Employees With Depressive Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Trial (2014) · cites this paper as [16]
In the citing paper
“The evidence-based strategies in this program include behavioural activation, problem-solving, accessing social support, and stress reduction [15,16].”
In the citing paper
“developing the capacity to solve problems is an effective means to improve mental health [15]”
In the citing paper
“Research on the treatment of depression has been extensive [13-16] and many studies have shown positive effects of different psychotherapies (eg, [15,17,18]).”
From Short-Term Effects of a Web-Based Guided Self-Help Intervention for Employees With Depressive Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Trial (2014) · cites this paper as [17]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Cuijpers, P., van Straten, A., & Warmerdam, L.
- Affiliations
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Cuijpers, Pim
- Venue
- European Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2007-01
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 9-15
- ISSN
- 0924-9338 (ISSN-L)
- 1778-3585
- OpenAlex
- W2153485295
- Cited by
- 261
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 27
- FWCI
- 1.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- VU Research Portal (publishedVersion)
- Digital Academic REpository of VU University Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) (submittedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Problem Solving Skills Development
- Keywords
- problem-solving therapy, depression, psychotherapy efficacy, major depressive disorder, treatment effect heterogeneity, intention-to-treat analysis
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Depressive Disorder, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Middle Aged, Problem Solving, Psychotherapy, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome
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