Cited by 86Digital Mental Health InterventionsCOVID-19 and Mental HealthAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Digital mental health interventions for anxiety and depressive symptoms in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

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Riboldi, Ilaria, Cavaleri, Daniele, Calabrese, Angela, Capogrosso, Chiara Alessandra, Piacenti, Susanna, Bartoli, Francesco, Crocamo, Cristina, Carrà, Giuseppe·2023·Revista de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental

Abstract

University students are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues, with anxiety and depression identified as the most common conditions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing, self-isolation, and difficulties linked to online teaching and learning have increased their burden of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Thus, the urgent need to intervene in favour of these vulnerable subjects, together with the difficulties in delivering in-person interventions because of lockdowns and restrictions, has led to prioritize digital mental health strategies. This study aimed at systematically reviewing the existing literature on digital mental health interventions targeting anxiety and depressive symptoms in university students during the COVID-19 emergency. Systematic searches of Medline, Embase, and PsycInfo databases identified eight randomized controlled trials. Regarding anxiety symptoms, digitally delivered cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, and mind-body practice techniques emerged as valid strategies, while digital positive psychology and mindfulness-based interventions showed mixed results. On the other hand, digitally delivered dialectical behaviour therapy and positive psychology interventions have shown some efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms. Overall, the available literature, albeit of low quality, seems to support the role of digital interventions in promoting the mental health of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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  • Between 2020 and 2021, several reviews were written to inform the implementation of remote solutions for both the treatment and prevention of mental health conditions.

    “Between 2020 and 2021, several reviews were written to inform the implementation of remote solutions for both the treatment and prevention of mental health conditions [65,66].”

    From Evolution of Primary Research Studies in Digital Interventions for Mental Well-Being Promotion from 2004 to 2023: A Bibliometric Analysis of Studies on the Web of Science (2024) · cites this paper as [66]

    The References list several 2021 reviews of digital or telemental health, and the Discussion connects digital interventions with care and mental-health promotion. But the cited review itself was published in 2022, outside the stated 2020–2021 period, and our copy does not establish that those earlier reviews were written to inform implementation for both treatment and prevention. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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6 of the 82 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [25]Miles J. Shevlin M. Applying regression and correlation. A guide for students and researchers 1st ed. 2001 SAGE Publications Ltd.
  2. [46]Spielberger C.D. Gorsuch R.L. Lushene R. The state-trait personality inventory STAI-Y, Form Y 1983 Consulting Psychologists press Palo Alto, CA 1983

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Authors
Riboldi, I., Cavaleri, D., Calabrese, A., Capogrosso, C. A., Piacenti, S., Bartoli, F., Crocamo, C., & Carrà, G.
Affiliations
  • University of Milano-Bicocca (IT)
  • University College London (GB)
Corresponding author
Riboldi, Ilaria
Venue
Revista de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-01
Volume
16
Pages
47-58
ISSN
1888-9891 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4283156296
Cited by
86
References
82
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 43 · 2022: 3
FWCI
3.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Revista de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • BOA (University of Milano-Bicocca) (submittedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
digital mental health interventions, university students, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, COVID-19 pandemic, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, positive psychology interventions, mindfulness-based interventions, mind-body practices

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