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

van Agteren, Joep; Iasiello, Matthew; Lo, Laura; Bartholomaeus, Jonathan; Kopsaftis, Zoe; Carey, Marissa; Kyrios, Michael

doi:10.1038/s41562-021-01093-w

Cited by 510Psychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionMindfulness and Compassion InterventionsDigital Mental Health Interventions

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

van Agteren, Joep, Iasiello, Matthew, Lo, Laura, Bartholomaeus, Jonathan, Kopsaftis, Zoe, Carey, Marissa, Kyrios, Michael·2021·Nature Human Behaviour

DOI 10.1038/s41562-021-01093-w

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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.

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Traditional psychotherapy alone can show limitations such as moderate effect sizes as well as a lack of generalizability and endpoint improvement, depending on the target population.
“traditional psychotherapy alone can show limitations such as moderate effect sizes as well as a lack of generalizability and endpoint improvement, depending on the target population.”
From The Groundswell Community Surf Therapy Intervention for At-Risk Women and Changes in Body Acceptance, Resilience, and Emotional Regulation (2024) · cites this paper as [17]
A recent systematic and meta-analytic review found that mindfulness-based interventions demonstrated significant small to moderate improvements in general and mentally and physically ill population samples.
“a recent systematic and meta-analytic review evaluated a range of psychological interventions and their effects on mental well-being and found that mindfulness-based interventions demonstrated significant small to moderate improvements in general and mentally and physically ill population samples (van Agteren et al., 2021).”
From Pathways to mental well-being for graduates of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR): A mediation analysis of an RCT. (2024) · cites this paper as van Agteren et al., 2021
Mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) have demonstrated promising effects in addressing mental health across a wider distribution of the population.
“MBPs have demonstrated promising effects in addressing mental health across a wider distribution of the population (Galante et al., 2021; Khoury et al., 2013; van Agteren et al., 2021).”
From Pathways to mental well-being for graduates of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR): A mediation analysis of an RCT. (2024) · cites this paper as van Agteren et al., 2021

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What triggers prosocial effort? A positive feedback loop between positive activities, kindness, and well-being
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Expanding the efficacy of Project UPLIFT: Distance delivery of mindfulness-based depression prevention to people with epilepsy.
Thompson, N. J., Patel, A., Selwa, L. M., STOLL, S. C., Begley, C. E., Johnson, E. K., & Fraser, R. (2014) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0038404 · Cited by 150 · see citing works
Passage meditation reduces perceived stress in health professionals: A randomized, controlled trial.
Oman, D., Hedberg, J., & Thoresen, C. E. (2006) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.74.4.714 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Development of a positive psychology intervention for patients with acute cardiovascular disease
Huffman, J. C., Mastromauro, C. A., Boehm, J. K., Seabrook, R., Fricchione, G. L., Denninger, J. W., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2011) · Heart International · doi:10.4081/hi.2011.e14 · Cited by 148 · see citing works
Untitled work
Peters (2017) · doi:10.1097/ajp.0000000000000494 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
The Effectiveness of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Self-help Intervention for Chronic Pain.
Johnston, M., Foster, M., Shennan, J., Starkey, N. J., & Johnson, A. (2010) · The Clinical Journal of Pain · doi:10.1097/ajp.0b013e3181cf59ce · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Increasing Middle School Students’ Life Satisfaction: Efficacy of a Positive Psychology Group Intervention
Suldo, S. M., Savage, J., & Mercer, S. H. (2013) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-013-9414-2 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Emotional distress and fatigue in coronary heart disease: the Global Mood Scale (GMS)
Denollet, J. (1993) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291700038903 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Grateful recounting enhances subjective well-being: The importance of grateful processing
Watkins, P. C., Uhder, J., & Pichinevskiy, S. (2014) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2014.927909 · Cited by 140 · see citing works
Positive psychology in context: Effects of expressing gratitude in ongoing relationships depend on perceptions of enactor responsiveness
Algoe, S. B., & Zhaoyang, R. (2015) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2015.1117131 · Cited by 140 · see citing works
A randomised active-controlled trial to examine the effects of an online mindfulness intervention on executive control, critical thinking and key thinking dispositions in a university student sample
Noone, C., & Hogan, M. (2018) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-018-0226-3 · Cited by 140 · see citing works
How benefits of expressive writing vary as a function of writing instructions, ethnicity and ambivalence over emotional expression
Lü, Q., & Stanton, A. L. (2009) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870440902883196 · Cited by 139 · see citing works
Efficacy of meaning-centered group psychotherapy for cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial
van der Spek, N., Vos, J., van Uden-Kraan, C. F., Breitbart, W., Cuijpers, P., Holtmaat, K., Witte, B. I., Tollenaar, R. A. E. M., & Verdonck-de Leeuw, I. M. (2017) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291717000447 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
The Effects of a Modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program for Nurses: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Lin, L., He, G., Jin, Y., Gu, C., & Xie, J. (2018) · Workplace Health & Safety · doi:10.1177/2165079918801633 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Construct Validity of the Outcome Questionnaire: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis
Mueller, R. M., Lambert, M. J., & Burlingame, G. M. (1998) · Journal of Personality Assessment · doi:10.1207/s15327752jpa7002_5 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
The Effects of Positive Interventions on Happiness and Depressive Symptoms, with an Examination of Personality as a Moderator
Senf, K., & Liau, A. K. (2012) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-012-9344-4 · Cited by 133 · see citing works
Feasibility and effectiveness of a web-based positive psychology program for youth mental health: Randomized controlled trial
Manicavasagar, V., Horswood, D., Burckhardt, R., Lum, A., Hadzi-Pavlovic, D., & Parker, G. (2014) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.3176 · Cited by 131 · see citing works
Fusing character strengths and mindfulness interventions: Benefits for job satisfaction and performance.
Pang, D., & Ruch, W. (2019) · Journal of Occupational Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/ocp0000144 · Cited by 130 · see citing works
The Use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Promote Mental Health and School Engagement in University Students: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial.
Grégoire, S., Lachance, L., Bouffard, T., & Dionne, F. (2018) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.beth.2017.10.003 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Positive mental health as a predictor of recovery from mental illness
Iasiello, M., van Agteren, J., Keyes, C. L. M., & Cochrane, E. M. (2019) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2019.03.065 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Self-citation
An early Phase II randomised controlled trial testing the effect on persecutory delusions of using CBT to reduce negative cognitions about the self: The potential benefits of enhancing self confidence
Freeman, D. H., Pugh, K., Dunn, G., Evans, N., Sheaves, B., Waite, F., Černis, E., Lister, R., & Fowler, D. G. (2014) · Schizophrenia Research · doi:10.1016/j.schres.2014.10.038 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
When the dissolution of perceived body boundaries elicits happiness: The effect of selflessness induced by a body scan meditation
Dambrun, M. (2016) · Consciousness and Cognition · doi:10.1016/j.concog.2016.09.013 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
An early intervention to promote well-being and flourishing and reduce anxiety and depression: A randomized controlled trial
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Drossaert, C. H. C., Pieterse, M. E., Boon, B. J. F., Walburg, J. A., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2017) · Internet Interventions · doi:10.1016/j.invent.2017.04.002 · Cited by 127 · see citing works

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6 of the 557 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Sorted by citations

Systematic review and meta-analysis of AI-based conversational agents for promoting mental health and well-being
Li, H., Zhang, R., Lee, Y.-C., Kraut, R. E., & Mohr, D. C. (2023) · npj Digital Medicine · doi:10.1038/s41746-023-00979-5 · Cited by 598 · see citing works
“We ﬁ ne-tuned our search strategy based on previous systematic reviews 3,51,62 to locate sources related to AI-based CAs for addressing mental health problems or promoting mental well-being.”
MethodResult
Sense of Belonging, Meaningful Daily Life Participation, and Well-Being: Integrated Investigation
Haim-Litevsky, D., Komemi, R., & Lipskaya‐Velikovsky, L. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20054121 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
“For example, it was found that higher well-being reduces a risk for development of mental illness, is predictive of recovery from physical and mental illness, reduces health-risky behaviors, and increases life expectancy [3,17].”
BackgroundMethod
Positive affect and reward processing in the treatment of depression, anxiety and trauma
Craske, M. G., Dunn, B. D., Meuret, A. E., Rizvi, S. J., & Taylor, C. T. (2024) · Nature Reviews Psychology · doi:10.1038/s44159-024-00355-4 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
The Model for Sustainable Mental Health: Future Directions for Integrating Positive Psychology Into Mental Health Care
Bohlmeijer, E., & Westerhof, G. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.747999 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
“On the other hand, another recent meta-analysis has shown that a broad range of psychological interventions can contribute to the promotion of wellbeing in both clinical and non-clinical populations (van Agteren et al., 2021).”
Background
Interventions to Modify Psychological Well-Being: Progress, Promises, and an Agenda for Future Research
Kubzansky, L., Kim, E. S., Boehm, J. K., Davidson, R., Huffman, J. C., Loucks, E., Lyubomirsky, S., Picard, R. W., Schueller, S., Trudel-Fitzgerald, C., et al. (2023) · Affective Science · doi:10.1007/s42761-022-00167-w · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Effectiveness of AI-Driven Conversational Agents in Improving Mental Health Among Young People: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Feng, Y., Hang, Y., Wu, W., Song, X., Xiao, X., Dong, F., & Qiao, Z. (2025) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/69639 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
“This is consistent with the broader literature on psychological interventions, which has shown that these interventions are often more effective in promoting mental well-being for people with mental or physical health conditions compared to the general population [52].”
Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Mental Well-Being Using Health Behavior Data from University Students
Rahman, H. A., Kwicklis, M., Ottom, M. A., Amornsriwatanakul, A., Mumin, K. H. A., Rosenberg, M., & Dinov, I. D. (2023) · Bioengineering · doi:10.3390/bioengineering10050575 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
“Furthermore, interventions that target physical health outcomes have also shown to beneﬁt mental well-being [32].”
Background
Effect of mindfulness-based programmes on elite athlete mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Myall, K., Montero-Marín, J., Gorczynski, P., Kajee, N., Sheriff, R. S. S., Bernard, R. M., Harriss, E., & Kuyken, W. (2022) · British Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1136/bjsports-2022-105596 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Measurement of flourishing: a scoping review
Rule, A., Abbey, C., Wang, H., Rozelle, S., & Singh, M. K. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1293943 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Real versus illusory personal growth in response to COVID-19 pandemic stressors
Asmundson, G. J. G., Paluszek, M. M., & Taylor, S. J. (2021) · Journal of Anxiety Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102418 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Leveraging technology to personalize cognitive enhancement methods in aging
Ziegler, D. A., Anguera, J. A., Gallen, C. L., Hsu, W.-Y., Wais, P. E., & Gazzaley, A. (2022) · Nature Aging · doi:10.1038/s43587-022-00237-5 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
The process and mechanisms of personality change
Jackson, J. J., & Wright, A. J. (2024) · Nature Reviews Psychology · doi:10.1038/s44159-024-00295-z · Cited by 55 · see citing works
“In general, these interventions are efficacious, with modest effect sizes ( d = 0.20–0.40) that have meaningful impacts in that people report notable changes in their well-being 173,174 .”
Influential
Factors associated with mental health and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil
Vitorino, L. M., Júnior, G. H. Y., Gonzaga, G., Dias, I. F., Pereira, J. P. L., Ribeiro, I. M. G., França, A. B., Al‐Zaben, F., Koenig, H. G., & Trzesniak, C. M. F. (2021) · BJPsych Open · doi:10.1192/bjo.2021.62 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Decreasing Mental Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study Among Danes Before and During the Pandemic
Thygesen, L. C., Møller, S. P., Ersbøll, A. K., Santini, Z. I., Nielsen, M. B. D., Grønbæk, M., & Ekholm, O. (2021) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.09.035 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Livelihood resilience of vulnerable groups in the face of climate change: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Fan, Y., Shi, X., Li, X., & Feng, X. (2022) · Environmental Development · doi:10.1016/j.envdev.2022.100777 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Psychological Interventions to Improve Elite Athlete Mental Wellbeing: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Wang, W., Schweickle, M. J., Arnold, E. R., & Vella, S. A. (2025) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-024-02173-3 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Enhancing Meaning in Life and Psychological Well-Being Among a European Cohort of Young Adults via a Gratitude Intervention
Czyżowska, N., & Gurba, E. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.751081 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Train at home, but not alone: a randomised controlled multicentre trial assessing the effects of live-streamed tele-exercise during COVID-19-related lockdowns
Wilke, J., Mohr, L., Yuki, G., Bhundoo, A. K., Jiménez‐Pavón, D., Laíño, F., Murphy, N. M., Novak, B., Nuccio, S., Ortega‐Gómez, S., et al. (2022) · British Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1136/bjsports-2021-104994 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Homelessness and health-related outcomes: an umbrella review of observational studies and randomized controlled trials
Fornaro, M., Dragioti, E., Prisco, M. D., Billeci, M., Mondin, A. M., Calati, R., Smith, L., Hatcher, S., Kaluzienski, M., Fiedorowicz, J. G., et al. (2022) · BMC Medicine · doi:10.1186/s12916-022-02423-z · Cited by 43 · see citing works
What Works to Improve Wellbeing? A Rapid Systematic Review of 223 Interventions Evaluated with the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scales
Blodgett, J. M., Birch, J. M., Musella, M., Harkness, F., & Kaushal, A. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192315845 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Pilot study of a well-being app to support New Zealand young people during the COVID-19 pandemic
Serlachius, A., Boggiss, A., Lim, D., Schache, K., Wallace-Boyd, K., Brenton-Peters, J., Buttenshaw, E., Chadd, S., Cavadino, A., Cao, N., et al. (2021) · Internet Interventions · doi:10.1016/j.invent.2021.100464 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“…M ¯ aori language Te Reo) was developed using evidence-based strategies including cognitive behavioral therapy and positive psychology techniques that have shown efficacy in adults and young people (Merry et al., 2012; Serlachius et al., 2016; Schache et al., 2019; van Agteren et al., 2021).”
Higher levels of mental wellbeing predict lower risk of common mental disorders in the Danish general population
Santini, Z. I., Ekholm, O., Koyanagi, A., Stewart-Brown, S., Meilstrup, C., Nielsen, L., Fusar-Poli, P., Koushede, V., & Thygesen, L. C. (2022) · Mental Health & Prevention · doi:10.1016/j.mhp.2022.200233 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Development of “LvL UP 1.0”: a smartphone-based, conversational agent-delivered holistic lifestyle intervention for the prevention of non-communicable diseases and common mental disorders
Castro, Ó., Mair, J. L., Salamanca-Sanabria, A., Alattas, A., Keller, R., Zheng, S., Jabir, A. I., Lin, X., Frese, B. F., Lim, C. S., et al. (2023) · Frontiers in Digital Health · doi:10.3389/fdgth.2023.1039171 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
The Effects of Dog Behavioural Problems on Owner Well-Being: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions
Barcelos, A. M., Kargas, N., & Mills, D. S. (2024) · Pets · doi:10.3390/pets1010007 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Using the intervention mapping approach to develop a mental health intervention: a case study on improving the reporting standards for developing psychological interventions.
van Agteren, J., Iasiello, M., Ali, K., Fassnacht, D. B., Furber, G., Woodyatt, L., Howard, A., & Kyrios, M. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.648678 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Self-citation
An Extended Replication Study of the Well-Being Intervention, the Noticing Nature Intervention (NNI)
Passmore, H., Yang, Y., & Sabine, S. (2022) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-022-00516-3 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Following the Science to Generate Well-Being: Using the Highest-Quality Experimental Evidence to Design Interventions
Donaldson, S., Cabrera, V., & Gaffaney, J. M. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.739352 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Experimental effects of social behavior on well-being
Regan, A., Radošić, N., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2022) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.tics.2022.08.006 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Acting on Values: A Novel Intervention Enhancing Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being
Bojanowska, A., Kaczmarek, L. D., Urbańska, B., & Puchalska-Kamińska, M. (2022) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-022-00585-4 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“Finally, PPIs are more efficacious in multicomponent programs that engage several processes (van Agteren et al., 2021).”
Background
The Effectiveness of Fully Automated Digital Interventions in Promoting Mental Well-Being in the General Population: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Groot, J., MacLellan, A., Butler, M., Todor, E., Zulfiqar, M., Thackrah, T., Clarke, C., Brosnan, M., & Ainsworth, B. (2023) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/44658 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Acute mental health benefits of urban nature
Li, Y., Mao, Y. K., Mandle, L., Rydström, A., Remme, R. P., Lan, X., Wu, T., Song, C., Lu, Y., Nadeau, K. C., et al. (2025) · Nature Cities · doi:10.1038/s44284-025-00286-y · Cited by 39 · see citing works
“Additionally, promoting passive nature exposure through community-based pro-grams—such as forest bathing 42 or guided park meditation 43 —offers a low-cost, scalable approach to improve public mental health 44 .”
Psilocybin-Assisted Compassion Focused Therapy for Depression
Pots, W. T. M., & Chakhssi, F. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.812930 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
“…to depression primarily target signs and symptoms of depression, but do not impact emotional, psychological and spiritual wellbeing as much as more recent approaches such as CFT Frontiers in Psychology | www.frontiersin.org 3 March 2022 | Volume 13 | Article 812930 (Van Agteren et al., 2021).”
Background
Effectiveness of reminiscence therapy interventions for older people: Evidence mapping and qualitative evaluation
Yan, Z., Dong, M., Lin, L., & Wu, D. (2022) · Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/jpm.12883 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Do behavioural interventions enhance waste recycling practices? Evidence from an extended meta-analysis
Xia, Z., Gu, Y., Li, J., Xie, J., Liu, F., Wen, X., Tian, X., & Zhang, C. (2022) · Journal of Cleaner Production · doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135695 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
What’s the difference between measures of wellbeing, quality of life, resilience, and coping? An umbrella review and concept map of 155 measures of positive mental health
Iasiello, M. P., van Agteren, J. E., Ali, K., Fassnacht, D. B., Kyrios, M., Kashdan, T. B., & Kolovos, E. (2024) · International Journal of Wellbeing · doi:10.5502/ijw.v14i2.3621 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Self-citation
Effectiveness of Digital Lifestyle Interventions on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Well-Being: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Brinsley, J., O'Connor, E. J., Singh, B., McKeon, G., Curtis, R., Ferguson, T., Gosse, G., Willems, I., Marent, P.-J., Szeto, K., et al. (2024) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/56975 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
“…(4) studies that reported changes in symptoms of depression, anxiety, psychological stress, or well-being using validated tools were included, and due to the broad and varied definitions of well-being [28], we considered well-being measures listed as per the review by van Agteren et al [25].”
Unraveling Heterogeneities in Mindfulness Profiles: a Review and Latent Profile Analysis of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Short-Form (FFMQ-SF) in the Spanish Population
Lecuona, O. Z., García‐Rubio, C., de Rivas, S., Moreno‐Jiménez, J. E., & Rodríguez‐Carvajal, R. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01939-y · Cited by 36 · see citing works
A Group-Facilitated, Internet-Based Intervention to Promote Mental Health and Well-Being in a Vulnerable Population of University Students: Randomized Controlled Trial of the Be Well Plan Program
Fassnacht, D. B., Ali, K., van Agteren, J. E., Iasiello, M. P., Mavrangelos, T., Furber, G., & Kyrios, M. (2022) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/37292 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Self-citation
Intergroup psychological interventions: The motivational challenge.
Landry, A., & Halperin, E. (2023) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/amp0001289 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Efficacy of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Combined with Psychological Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Xu, X., Xu, M., Su, Y., Cao, T. V., Nikolin, S., Moffa, A. H., Loo, C. K. A., & Martin, D. M. (2023) · Brain Sciences · doi:10.3390/brainsci13121665 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“A systematic review of 419 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from clinical and non-clinical populations found that psychological interventions produced only small-to-moderate effect sizes on mental well-being and/or indicators of illness [2].”
Effects of Psychological or Exercise Interventions on Problematic Mobile Phone Use: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Zhang, K., Lu, X., Zhang, X., Zhang, J., Ren, J., Guo, H., Zhu, Z., Yang, H., Yuan, G., Jin, G., et al. (2023) · Current Addiction Reports · doi:10.1007/s40429-023-00471-w · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“A range of PI based on well-known theoretical classes such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) were identified, as well as others like sand-play and expressive writing [13].”
Background
Nostalgia: A potential pathway to greater well-being
Layous, K., & Kurtz, J. L. (2022) · Current Opinion in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101548 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
The impact of an organizational-level mindfulness-based intervention on workplace social capital and psychological safety: A qualitative content analysis
Bonde, E., Mikkelsen, E. G., Fjorback, L., & Juul, L. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1112907 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
The Effects of a Mindfulness Program on Mental Health in Students at an Undergraduate Program for Teacher Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Real-Life
Juul, L., Brorsen, E., Gøtzsche, K., Nielsen, B. L., & Fjorback, L. O. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.722771 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Changes in the network structure of mental health after a multicomponent positive psychology intervention in adolescents: A moderated network analysis
Tejada‐Gallardo, C., Blasco‐Belled, A., & Alsinet, C. (2022) · Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.12363 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“…psychological distress after psychological interventions (Teismann et al., 2018; Trompetter et al., 2017), and a recent metaanalysis has demonstrated that MPPIs are among the most effective interventions to promote well-being across clinical and non-clinical populations (van Agteren et al., 2021).”
Background
Well-being app to support young people during the COVID-19 pandemic: randomised controlled trial
Thabrew, H., Boggiss, A. L., Lim, D. H., Schache, K., Morunga, E., Cao, N., Cavadino, A., & Serlachius, A. S. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058144 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Pilot evaluation to assess the effectiveness of youth peer community support via the Kooth online mental wellbeing website
Stevens, M., Cartagena‐Farias, J., Mindel, C., D’Amico, F., & Evans-Lacko, S. E. (2022) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-022-14223-4 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“Much needs to be done to improve the evidence base regarding effective psychological interventions in general [62].”
Background
Fostering collective climate action and leadership: Insights from a pilot experiment involving mindfulness and compassion
Ramstetter, L., Rupprecht, S., Luis Mundaca, T., Osika, W., Stenfors, C. U. D., Klackl, J., & Christine Wamsler, B. (2023) · iScience · doi:10.1016/j.isci.2023.106191 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“At the same time, research with both clinical and non-clinical populations consistently shows that capacities such as mindfulness and compassion can be moderately improved by training.(85)”
Background
Effectiveness of group acceptance and commitment therapy in treating depression for acute stroke patients
Liu, Y.-E., Lv, J., Sun, F., Liang, J., Zhang, Y., Chen, J., & Jiang, W. (2023) · Brain and Behavior · doi:10.1002/brb3.3260 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Effects of digital psychotherapy for depression and anxiety: A systematic review and bayesian network meta-analysis
Wang, M., Chen, H., Yang, F., Xu, X., & Li, J. (2023) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2023.06.057 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
The relationship of emotional intelligence to burnout and related factors in healthcare profession students
Taylor, M. J., Andreatta, R. D., Woltenberg, L. N., Cormier, M. L., & Hoch, J. M. (2024) · Nurse Education Today · doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106387 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Machine learning in the prediction of human wellbeing
Oparina, E., Kaiser, C., Gentile, N., Tkatchenko, A., Clark, A. E., Jan-emmanuel De Neve, A., & D’Ambrosio, C. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-84137-1 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“Insofar as the scope for improving wellbeing is greater in low-and middle-income countries 57–59 applying ML approaches in this setting may be particularly valuable going forward.”
Promoting University Students’ Mental Health through an Online Multicomponent Intervention during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Theurel, A., Witt, A., & Shankland, R. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph191610442 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“Hardly any studies have examined the impact of multitheoretical intervention [58].”
Background
The Efficacy of Reminiscence Therapy in Cancer-Related Symptom Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Sun, J., Jiang, J., Wang, Y.-Y., Zhang, M.-Y., Dong, L., Li, K., & Wu, C.-Q. (2023) · Integrative Cancer Therapies · doi:10.1177/15347354221147499 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
The influence of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the work life of healthcare professionals – A qualitative study
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Authors: van Agteren, J., Iasiello, M., Lo, L., Bartholomaeus, J., Kopsaftis, Z., Carey, M., & Kyrios, M.
Affiliations: Flinders University (AU)
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (AU)
University of South Australia (AU)
ORCID: van Agteren, Joep
Iasiello, Matthew
Lo, Laura
Bartholomaeus, Jonathan
Kopsaftis, Zoe
Kyrios, Michael
Venue: Nature Human Behaviour
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2021-04-19
Volume: 5
Issue: 5
Pages: 631-652
ISSN: 2397-3374 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01093-w
OpenAlex: W3153837393
Cited by: 510
References: 557
Citations by year: 2026: 89 · 2025: 120 · 2024: 124 · 2023: 87 · 2022: 74 · 2021: 16
FWCI: 11.83
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springernature.com/gp/researchers/text-and-data-mining (tdm)
www.springernature.com/gp/researchers/text-and-data-mining (vor)
Locations: Nature Human Behaviour (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: James and Diana Ramsay Foundation
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
Keywords: psychological intervention, psychological well-being, mindfulness-based interventions, positive psychology interventions, acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, reminiscence intervention, intervention intensity, clinical populations, non-clinical population, intervention efficacy
MeSH terms: Psychosocial Intervention, Behavior Therapy, Humans, Mental Health, Psychotherapy, Treatment Outcome, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

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

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