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

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 551 of the 557 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

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

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

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.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1038/s41562-021-01093-w

Cites

551 of 551 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

This paper’s full text isn’t openly available, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials
Higgins, J. P. T., Altman, D. G., Gotzsche, P. C., Juni, P., Moher, D., Oxman, A. D., Savovic, J., Schulz, K. F., Weeks, L., Sterne, J. A. C., et al. (2011) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.d5928 · Cited by 33,817
Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales.
Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.54.6.1063 · Cited by 32,433
The satisfaction with life scale
Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985) · Journal of Personality Assessment · doi:10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13 · Cited by 31,768
Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions: Cochrane Book Series
(2008) · doi:10.1002/9780470712184 · Cited by 25,048
The “Golden Age” of Probiotics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Observational Studies in Preterm Infants
Dermyshi, E., Wang, Y., Yan, C., Hong, W., Qiu, G., Gong, X., & Zhang, T. (2017) · Neonatology · doi:10.1159/000454668 · Cited by 24,586
GRADE: an emerging consensus on rating quality of evidence and strength of recommendations
Guyatt, G. H., Oxman, A. D., Vist, G. E., Kunz, R., Falck-Ytter, Y., Alonso-Coello, P., & Schünemann, H. J. (2008) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.39489.470347.ad · Cited by 23,305 · cited 12×
“Articles https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-021-01093-w 1Wellbeing and Resilience Centre, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.”
BackgroundInfluential
Interrater reliability: The kappa statistic
McHugh, M. L. (2012) · Biochemia Medica · doi:10.11613/bm.2012.031 · Cited by 19,877
Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being.
Ryff, C. D. (1989) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069 · Cited by 14,847
Subjective Well-Being
Diener, E. (1984) · Social indicators research series · doi:10.1007/978-90-481-2350-6_2 · Cited by 12,609
Developing and evaluating complex interventions: the new Medical Research Council guidance
Craig, P., Dieppe, P., Macintyre, S., Michie, S., Nazareth, I., & Petticrew, M. (2008) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.a1655 · Cited by 10,995

Show all 557 references

Research works printed but not linked: 5

Diener, E. Subjective wellbeing. Psychological Bull. 95, 542–575 (1984). · DOI · Paper page
Slade, M. Personal Recovery and Mental Illness: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2009). · DOI · Paper page
Seyedi Asl, S. T. et al. Effect of group positive psychotherapy on improvement of life satisfaction and the quality of life in infertile woman. Int. J. Fertil. Steril. 10, 105–112 (2016).
Froh, J. J., Sefick, W. J. & Emmons, R. A. Counting blessings in early adolescents: an experimental study of gratitude and subjective wellbeing. J. Sch. Psychol. 46, 213–233 (2009). · DOI · Paper page
Steyer, R., Schwenkmezger, P., Notz, P. & Eid, M. Testtheoretische analysen des mehrdimensionalen befindlichkeitsfragebogen (MDBF). Diagnostica 40, 320–328 (1994).

Sorted by citations

Items 101–200 of 510

Recent advances in photobiomodulation therapy for brain diseases
Dong, S., Ren, H., Zhang, R., & Wei, X. (2024) · Interdisciplinary medicine · doi:10.1002/inmd.20230027 · Cited by 14
Animal psychotherapist: The potential impacts of animal-based tourism on mental health
Lin, G., & Li, M. (2024) · Tourism Management · doi:10.1016/j.tourman.2024.104959 · Cited by 14
How is the Capability Approach Applied to Assess Well-being Impacts? A Systematic Review
Bartolomei, L., Blundo‐Canto, G., & Muro, P. D. (2024) · Journal of Human Development and Capabilities · doi:10.1080/19452829.2024.2369502 · Cited by 14
“It has been applied to a broad range of subjects, spanning from gender di ﬀ erences in time use (Giurge, Whillans, and Yemiscigil 2021) to psychological well-being (van Agteren et al. 2021) and fuel poverty (Churchill, Smyth, and Farrell 2020).”
Proactive psychological and psychiatric support of patients with chronic non‐communicable diseases in a randomised trial: a Ukrainian experience
Khaustova, O. O., Маркова, М. В., Дрюченко, М. О., & Burdeinyi, A. O. (2022) · General Psychiatry · doi:10.1136/gpsych-2022-100881 · Cited by 14
Promoting psychological well-being in preschool children: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of a mindfulness- and yoga-based socio-emotional learning intervention
Courbet, O., Daviot, Q., Kalamarides, V., Habib, M., Castillo, M.-C. C., & Villemonteix, T. (2022) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-022-06979-2 · Cited by 21
“Among the various approaches available to promote P-WB, mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have demonstrated the greatest efficacy in both clinical and non-clinical populations [79].”
Background
Putting Variation into Variance: Modeling Between-Study Heterogeneity in Meta-AnalysisPreprint
Williams, D. R., Rodriguez, J. E., & Bürkner, P. (2021) · PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/9vkqy · Cited by 11
The value of evidence synthesis
(2021) · Nature Human Behaviour · doi:10.1038/s41562-021-01131-7 · Cited by 14
Online Gratitude Interventions during COVID- 19 Pandemic on Youth: Randomized Trial
Srivastava, M., & Ghosh, A. (2023) · Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work · doi:10.1080/26408066.2022.2157691 · Cited by 16
The Contribution of Environmental Science to Mental Health Research: A Scoping Review
Roberts, M., Colley, K., Currie, M. J. B., Eastwood, A., Li, K.-H., Avery, L. M., Beevers, L. C., Braithwaite, I., Dallimer, M., Davies, Z. G., et al. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20075278 · Cited by 19
The effectiveness of three mobile-based psychological interventions in reducing psychological distress and preventing stress-related changes in the psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune network in breast cancer survivors: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Světlák, M., Malatincová, T., Halámková, J., Barešová, Z., Lekárová, M., Vigašová, D., Slezáčková, A., Šumec, R., Humpolíček, P., Šedo, J., et al. (2023) · Internet Interventions · doi:10.1016/j.invent.2023.100628 · Cited by 16
Computational positive psychology: advancing the science of wellbeing in the digital era
Hou, H., Liu, I., Kong, F., & Ni, S. (2024) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2024.2362443 · Cited by 13
“…PP have examined such topics as theories, models, and concepts of well-being (e.g. Lambert et al., 2015); the measurement of wellbeing (e.g. Linton et al., 2016); the antecedents and consequences of wellbeing (e.g. Diener et al., 2018), and how to improve wellbeing (e.g. van Agteren et al., 2021).”
Comparing the mental health and wellbeing of domestic and international tertiary students
Xiong, W., Radünz, M., Ali, K., King, D. L., Kyrios, M., Zhao, Y., & Fassnacht, D. B. (2024) · Journal of International Students · doi:10.32674/jis.v14i4.6647 · Cited by 15
“Past research showed that several wellbeing interventions have been proven effective in ameliorating the mental wellbeing in the general population, which include multi-component positive psychology interventions (PPIs, multi-component) and reminiscence interventions (van Agteren et al., 2021).”
BackgroundSelf-citation
Economics of mental wellbeing: A prospective study estimating associated productivity costs due to sickness absence from the workplace in Denmark
Santini, Z. I., Thygesen, L. C., Koyanagi, A., Stewart-Brown, S. L., Meilstrup, C., Nielsen, L., Olsen, K. R., Birkjær, M., McDaid, D., Koushede, V., et al. (2022) · Mental Health & Prevention · doi:10.1016/j.mhp.2022.200247 · Cited by 24
An open trial of the Things You Do Questionnaire: Changes in daily actions during internet-delivered treatment for depressive and anxiety symptoms
Bisby, M. A., Dear, B. F., Karin, E., Fogliati, R., Dudeney, J. E., Ryan, K., Fararoui, A., Nielssen, O. B., Staples, L., Kayrouz, R., et al. (2023) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.117 · Cited by 13
Preliminary Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Perinatal Mindfulness-Based Well-Being and Parenting Programs for Low-Income New Mothers
Lengua, L. J., Thompson, S. F., Calhoun, R. E., Long, R. B., Price, C. J., Kantrowitz‐Gordon, I., Shimomaeda, L., Nurius, P. S., Katz, L. F., Sommerville, J. A., et al. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02096-6 · Cited by 13
Prediction Modeling of Mental Well-Being Using Health Behavior Data of College StudentsPreprint
Rahman, H. A., Kwicklis, M., Ottom, M. A., Amornsriwatanakul, A., Mumin, K. H. A., Rosenberg, M., & Dinov, I. D. (2022) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1281305/v1 · Cited by 13
“In addition, studies on mental wellbeing have become a priority in higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to be important in the post-pandemic era due to the heightened risk for developing serious mental health issues (Agteren et al. 2021; Liu et al. 2021).”
BackgroundInfluential
Which social-emotional skills are most important for students' learning and well-being? An international comparison among China, USA and Finland
Liu, Z., Guo, J., Huang, H., & Tang, X. (2025) · Learning and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2025.102703 · Cited by 16
Doing well-being: Self-reported activities are related to subjective well-being
Nilsson, A., Hellryd, E., & Kjell, O. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0270503 · Cited by 14
“For example, a recent meta-analysis [7] showed that mindfulness (e.”
Background
Perinatal Women’s Perspectives of, and Engagement in, Digital Emotional Well-Being Training: Mixed Methods Study
Davis, J. A., Ohan, J. L., Gregory, S., Kottampally, K., Silva, D., Prescott, S. L., & Finlay-Jones, A. L. (2023) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/46852 · Cited by 12
“Furthermore, personalization and technological advances are likely to optimize the impact of well-being interventions [6].”
The Missing Piece: A Population Health Perspective to Address the U.S. Mental Health Crisis
Sampson, L., Kubzansky, L. D., & Koenen, K. C. (2023) · Daedalus · doi:10.1162/daed_a_02030 · Cited by 12
Recommendations to promote mental health in dual career development environments: An integrated knowledge translation approach
Kegelaers, J. J., Wylleman, P., Kenttä, G., Vitali, F., Erpič, S. C., Regüela, S., Teller, C., & Brandt, K. D. (2024) · Journal of Applied Sport Psychology · doi:10.1080/10413200.2024.2334283 · Cited by 15
“Universal interventions using principles drawing on CBT, ACT, or positive psychology (e.g., gratitude training, expressive writing) have all been shown to aid in the promotion of well-being (van Agteren et al., 2021) and the development resilience (Joyce et al., 2018).”
Exploring an Organizational-Level Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Private Workplace Settings
Bonde, E. H., Mikkelsen, E. G., Fjorback, L. O., & Juul, L. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02375-w · Cited by 16
“…skills by, for example, improving awareness and connection to others (Bonde et al., 2022; Dahl et al., 2020), as well as enhancing distal mental health outcomes, such as reduced perceived stress, and improved well-being (De Vibe et al., 2017; Khoury et al., 2015; van Agteren et al., 2021).”
Co-creating and delivering personalized, nature-based VR experiences: Proof-of-concept study with four U.S. adults living with severe COPD
McAnirlin, O., Browning, M. H. E. M., Fasolino, T. K., Okamoto, K., Sharaievska, I., Thrift, J. R., & Pope, J. K. (2024) · Wellbeing Space and Society · doi:10.1016/j.wss.2024.100212 · Cited by 11
Psychological capital educational program and its effect on nurse interns’ innovative behavior
Kotb, A. H. A., Shazly, M. M., & Mostafa, H. A.-A. (2024) · BMC Nursing · doi:10.1186/s12912-024-02192-5 · Cited by 12
Effects of behavioural activation on psychological distress among people with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Wei, M., Yusuf, A., Hsien, C. C. M., & Marzuki, M. A. (2024) · International Journal of Nursing Studies · doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104983 · Cited by 13
Towards a personalized happiness approach to capturing change in satisfaction
Beck, E. D., Cheung, F., Thapa, S., & Jackson, J. J. (2025) · Nature Human Behaviour · doi:10.1038/s41562-025-02171-z · Cited by 25
Comparative effectiveness of resilience-related interventions on resilience and stress for healthcare professionals: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Janitra, F. E., Chen, R., Sung, C., Wang, C., Wibawa, Y. A., Banda, K. J., Chiang, K., & Chou, K. (2025) · International Journal of Nursing Studies · doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2025.105151 · Cited by 12
A Narrative Review of Peer-Led Positive Psychology Interventions: Current Evidence, Potential, and Future Directions
Neuhaus, M., Young, T., Ferris, L. J., Grimmel, C. L. M., & Reid, N. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19138065 · Cited by 15
Study protocol of EMPOWER: A cluster randomized trial of a multimodal eHealth intervention for promoting mental health in the workplace following a stepped wedge trial design
Olaya, B., Feltz-Cornelis, C. M. V. D., Roijen, L. H., Merecz‐Kot, D., Sinokki, M., Naumanen, P., Shepherd, J., van Krugten, F. C. W., de Mul, M., Staszewska, K., et al. (2022) · Digital Health · doi:10.1177/20552076221131145 · Cited by 13
Impacting employees’ and managers’ mental health skills using a workplace-adapted mindfulness-based intervention
Bonde, E. H., Mikkelsen, E. G., Fjorback, L. O., & Juul, L. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1020454 · Cited by 12
Digitalizing Gratitude and Building Trust through Technology in a Post-COVID-19 World—Report of a Case from Japan
Yamamoto, J., Fukui, T., Nishii, K., Kato, I., & Pham, Q. T. (2022) · Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity · doi:10.3390/joitmc8010022 · Cited by 16
“[35], interventions based on mindfulness-based multifactorial positive psychology are effective instead of gratitude interventions alone.”
Background
Changes in life satisfaction among unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee minors who participated in teaching recovery techniques (TRT)
Solhaug, A. K., Røysamb, E., & Oppedal, B. (2023) · Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health · doi:10.1186/s13034-023-00595-x · Cited by 11
Measuring Eudaimonic and Hedonic Wellbeing: Development and Validation of the Holistic Wellbeing Measure
Arslan, G., & Coşkun, M. (2025) · Journal of Personality Assessment · doi:10.1080/00223891.2025.2569671 · Cited by 15
“( Seligman, 2011; van Agteren et al., 2021).”
A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of well-being-focused interventions
Wilkie, L., Fisher, Z., Geidel, A., Goodall, I., Kamil, S., Wyn-Davies, E., & Kemp, A. H. (2026) · Nature Human Behaviour · doi:10.1038/s41562-025-02369-1 · Cited by 18
“Notably, one meta-analysis highlighted that mindfulness-based interventions ( g = 0.42) and multicomponent positive psychological interventions ( g = 0.28) had the strongest effects 19 .”
Influential
Mental health and sociodemographic characteristics among Icelanders, data from a cross-sectional study in Iceland
Sigurdardottir, S., Aspelund, T., Guðmundsdóttir, D. G., Fjorback, L. O., Hrafnkelsson, H., Hansdóttir, I., & Juul, L. (2023) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-022-04504-y · Cited by 11
“It could be feasible to integrate cost-effective, evidence-based mental health interventions like Mindfulness-based Cognitive therapy [32] or therapies involving positive psychology interventions to the standard care [31] and tackle mental health via a broader lifestyle approach, focusing on nutrition, exercise, sleep…”
Background
First validation of the model of sustainable mental health: Structural model validity and the indirect role of adaptation
Kloos, N., Kraiss, J. T., ten Klooster, P. M., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2023) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.23574 · Cited by 14
The effect of an adapted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program on mental health, maternal bonding and birth outcomes in psychosocially vulnerable pregnant women: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial in a Danish hospital-based outpatient setting
Skovbjerg, S., Sumbundu, A. D., Kolls, M., Kjærbye‐Thygesen, A., & Fjorback, L. O. (2023) · BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies · doi:10.1186/s12906-023-04194-3 · Cited by 13
Factors affecting implementation of mindfulness in hospital settings: A qualitative meta-synthesis of healthcare professionals' experiences
Knudsen, R. K., Skovbjerg, S., Pedersen, E. L., Nielsen, C. L., Storkholm, M. H., & Timmermann, C. (2024) · International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances · doi:10.1016/j.ijnsa.2024.100192 · Cited by 11
“Researchers who published a meta-analysis from 2021 found that mindfulness-based interventions were among the most effective interventions in improving mental wellbeing compared to other types of mental health promoting interventions (van Agteren et al., 2021).”
Background
“The goal is to make you weaker”: Mental well-being and risks among European cross-border investigative journalists
de Jong, B., & Kotišová, J. (2024) · Journalism · doi:10.1177/14648849241272270 · Cited by 11
“…concept either as subjective wellbeing, thus studying personal pleasure, happiness, affect, de Jong and Koti ˇ sov´a and life satisfaction, or as psychological wellbeing: optimal psychological functioning, self-realisation, meaning or purpose, and positive relationships (Van Agteren et al., 2021).”
Positive mental health, depression and burnout in healthcare workers during the second wave of COVID‐19 pandemic
Ruini, C., Pira, G. L., Cordella, E., & Vescovelli, F. (2024) · Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/jpm.13099 · Cited by 13
Embedding positive psychology into curriculum to promote posttraumatic growth, psychological flexibility, and socio-emotional competencies in higher education
Chim, K., Lai, J. T. C., & Chan, B. T. Y. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1450192 · Cited by 16
Resilient Responses to Victimization and Other Trauma: Positive Emotion Regulation and Other Understudied Psychosocial Strengths
Hamby, S. L., de Wetter, E., Schultz, K., Taylor, E. R., & Banyard, V. L. (2024) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/08862605241299448 · Cited by 14
“Recent work has also suggested that mindfulness is better than many psychothera-pies for promoting overall well-being (van Agteren et al., 2021), and this may be because it targets two of the most promising strengths for enhancing well-being after violence and other trauma.”
Assessing well-being in clinical research and treatment
Goodman, F. R. (2025) · Nature Mental Health · doi:10.1038/s44220-024-00381-4 · Cited by 11
“The presence of a mental illness does not indicate which components of well-being are impaired, neither does the absence of mental illness mean well-being will be high 19–21 .”
Being mindful in uncertain times – a resource-demand perspective on mindfulness as a workplace intervention
Schmitt, J., Pauknerová, D., Arbet, P., & Tarasová, O. V. (2025) · Journal of Workplace Learning · doi:10.1108/jwl-10-2024-0225 · Cited by 16
Analyzing Psychotherapy on Twitter: An 11-Year Analysis of Tweets From Major U.S. Media Outlets
Álvarez-Mon, M. Á., Fernandez-Lazaro, C. I., Ortega, M. A., Vidal, C., Molina-Ruiz, R. M., Álvarez‐Mon, M., & Martínez‐González, M. Á. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.871113 · Cited by 10
“This may explain why five of the eight psychotherapies included in our study have been omitted despite the fact that their use in clinical practice is widely accepted (40, 41).”
Background
Positive embodiment for wellbeing researchers and practitioners: A narrative review of emerging constructs, measurement tools, implications, and future directions
Munroe, M. (2022) · International Journal of Wellbeing · doi:10.5502/ijw.v12i2.1917 · Cited by 17
Online guided meditation training (Isha Kriya) improves self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression within 2 weeks of practice—An observational study
Hariri, S., Vishnubhotla, R. V., Reed, P. U., Rayapuraju, A., Orui, H., Balachundhar, P., Sadhasivam, S., & Subramaniam, B. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.944973 · Cited by 15
“showed that approaches such as mindfulness were effective in improving mental wellbeing in both clinical and non-clinical populations (36).”
Method
Character strengths and mental health as complex systems: a network analysis to identify bridge strengths
Blasco‐Belled, A. (2022) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03598-7 · Cited by 12
A practice‐based study of cultural humility and well‐being among psychotherapy clients
Choe, E. J. Y., Jankowski, P. J., Sandage, S. J., Crabtree, S. A., & Captari, L. E. (2022) · Counselling and Psychotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/capr.12599 · Cited by 12
What Emotions to Encourage? The Role of High and Low Arousal Positive Emotions in Three Randomized Controlled Trials of Different Positive Psychology Interventions
Kraiss, J. T., Bohlmeijer, E. T., & Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2023) · International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology · doi:10.1007/s41042-023-00088-4 · Cited by 15
“…kindness and savoring, have shown to be effective in improving emotional well-being in non-clinical (Bolier et al., 2013; Hendriks et al., 2020; Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009; van Agteren et al., 2021b) and clinical samples (Chakhssi et al., 2018; Geerling et al., 2020; van Agteren et al., 2021b).”
Background
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
Green, Z. A., & Rizwan, S. (2023) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-023-00664-0 · Cited by 13
“…interventions, character strengths interventions, gratitude interventions, and multicomponent PPIs—have focused on furthering subjective wellbeing, psychological well-being, affectivity, and a combination of subjective and psychological well-being (cf. meta-analysis by van Agteren et al., 2021).”
Background
Epigenetic, psychological, and EEG changes after a 1-week retreat based on mindfulness and compassion for stress reduction in healthy adults: Study protocol of a cross-over randomized controlled trial
Díez, G. G., Martin-Subero, I., Zangri, R. M., Kulis, M., Andreu, C. I., Blanco, I., Roca, P., Cuesta, P., García, C., Garzón, J., et al. (2023) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0283169 · Cited by 11
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depressive Disorders: Enhancing Access and Tailoring Interventions in Diverse Settings
Drüge, M., Guthardt, L., Haller, E., Michalak, J., & Apolinário-Hagen, J. (2024) · Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology · doi:10.1007/978-981-97-4402-2_11 · Cited by 11
Creating a resilient pedagogy: Character strengths intervention for aspiring educators
Janapati, G., & Vijayalakshmi, V. (2024) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104465 · Cited by 21
Subjective Well-Being and Successful Ageing of Older Adults in Eastern Croatia—Slavonia: Exploring Individual and Contextual Predictors
Barišić, M., Mudri, Ž., Farčić, N., Čebohin, M., Degmečić, D., & Barać, I. (2024) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su16177808 · Cited by 12
Effectiveness of Psychological Intervention in Improving Adolescents' Oral Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
He, I. L., Liu, P., Wong, M. C. M., Chu, C.-H., & Lo, E. (2024) · E -journal of dentistry · doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105365 · Cited by 10
Psychological interventions for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Tiles-Sar, N., Neuser, J., de Sordi, D., Baltes, A., Preiß, J., Moser, G., & Timmer, A. (2025) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd006913.pub3 · Cited by 13
Perspective Chapter: Well-Being and Culture – An African Perspective
Idemudia, E. S., & Adedeji, A. (2023) · Sustainable development · doi:10.5772/intechopen.109842 · Cited by 10
Effects of a Multi-Professional Intervention on Mental Health of Middle-Aged Overweight Survivors of COVID-19: A Clinical Trial
Ryal, J. J., Perli, V. A. S., Marques, D. C. D. S., Sordi, A. F., Marques, M. G. D. S., Camilo, M. L. A., Milani, R. G., Mota, J. A. P. S., Valdés-Badilla, P. A., & Branco, B. H. M. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20054132 · Cited by 16
Humanistic Health Management and Cancer: Associations of Psychology, Nutrition, and Exercise with Cancer Progression and Pathogenesis
Li, C., Zhang, J., Pan, P., Zhang, J., Hou, X., Wang, Y., Chen, G., Muhammad, P., Reis, R. L., Ding, L., et al. (2024) · Advanced Science · doi:10.1002/advs.202400665 · Cited by 9
The Effect of Deactivating Facebook and Instagram on Users’ Emotional State
Allcott, H., Gentzkow, M. A., Wittenbrink, B., Cisneros, J. C., Crespo-Tenorio, A., Dimmery, D., Freelon, D., González‐Bailón, S., Guess, A. M., Kim, Y. M., et al. (2025) · National Bureau of Economic Research · doi:10.3386/w33697 · Cited by 12
Psychological wellbeing in teachers. Study in teachers of early childhood and primary education
Salavera, C., Urbón, E., Supervía, P. U., Franco, V. D. F., Paterna, A., & Aguilar, J. M. (2024) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28868 · Cited by 17
“…well-being; happiness was found to be correlated with eudemonic well-being and life satisfaction; Eudemonic well-being was found to be correlated with self-esteem and life satisfaction; and self-esteem was found to correlate with life satisfaction, in line with previous research [17,18,35,67].”
BackgroundResult
Threatening and nurturing mental health: insights from Danish elite athletes on the dynamic interplay of factors associated with their mental health
Küttel, A., Storm, L. K., Stambulova, N. B., & Henriksen, K. (2024) · Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · doi:10.3389/fspor.2024.1451617 · Cited by 15
An Automated Conversational Agent Self-Help Program: Randomized Controlled Trial
Foran, H. M., Kubb, C., Mueller, J., Poff, S., Ung, M., Li, M., Smith, E. M., Akinyemi, A., Kambadur, M., Waller, F., et al. (2024) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/53829 · Cited by 12
“This aligns with earlier findings that psychological interventions tend to be more effective for individuals with mental or physical health issues compared with those in community samples [43].”
Efficacy of a Positive Psychology Intervention in Enhancing Optimism and Reducing Depression Among University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Tarrats-Pons, E., Mussons-Torras, M., & Jiménez-Pérez, Y. (2025) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs15050571 · Cited by 19
Technological identity and basic psychological needs in the use of new technologies: A two-wave cross-national survey study
Heiskari, M., Celuch, M., Koivula, A., Savolainen, I., & Oksanen, A. (2025) · International Journal of Information Management · doi:10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2025.102926 · Cited by 12
The Land That Time Forgot? Planetary Health and the Criminal Justice System
Logan, A. C., Berryessa, C. M., Callender, J. S., Caruso, G. D., Hagenbeek, F. A., Mishra, P., & Prescott, S. L. (2025) · Challenges · doi:10.3390/challe16020029 · Cited by 12
The Mental Health Status of Esports Athletes
Kegelaers, J. J., Maîresse, O., Ruysevelt, L. V., Trotter, M. G., Watson, M., Pedraza-Ramirez, I., Bonilla, I., Davis, P., Ragnarsson, J., & Heel, M. V. (2025) · Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports · doi:10.1123/jege.2025-0017 · Cited by 9
Effectiveness of Digital Interventions for Deficit-Oriented and Asset-Oriented Psychological Outcomes in the Workplace: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis
Armaou, M., Araviaki, E., Dutta, S., Konstantinidis, S. T., & Blake, H. (2022) · European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education · doi:10.3390/ejihpe12100102 · Cited by 14
Measuring mental wellbeing of children via human-robot interaction
Abbasi, N. I., Spitale, M., Jones, P. B., & Güneş, H. (2022) · Interaction Studies Social Behaviour and Communication in Biological and Artificial Systems · doi:10.1075/is.21027.abb · Cited by 8
Chinese Mothers’ Reactions to Adolescents’ Positive Emotions: Relations to Adolescents’ Emotional Adjustment and Mothers’ Socialization Goals
Shi, Z., Qu, Y., Yan, Y., & Wang, Q. (2023) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/s10964-023-01924-1 · Cited by 8
“…moving from a de ﬁ cit view of adolescence to the perspective of positive development, and providing a comprehensive understanding of how emotion-related parenting practices could help adolescents navigate the developmental period with both challenges and opportunities (van Agteren et al., 2021).”
Mapping network connection and direction among symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with chronic gastritis
Tang, Q., Wang, R., Niu, H., Li, Y., Li, Y., Hu, Z., Liu, X., & Tao, Y. (2024) · PsyCh Journal · doi:10.1002/pchj.757 · Cited by 7
“Specifically, mindfulness (van Agteren et al., 2021) and moving to emptiness technique (Tao et al., 2022) are recommended to alleviate pain in the gut and psychological abnormalities.”
Background
Scaling a Brief Digital Well-Being Intervention (the Big Joy Project) and Sociodemographic Moderators: Single-Group Pre-Post Study
Guevarra, D. A., Park, Y., Xu, X., Liou, J., Smith, J., Callahan, P., Simon-Thomas, E. R., & Epel, E. S. (2025) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/72053 · Cited by 10
“Because various dimensions of emotional well-being are related to health [25], researchers have suggested interventions for promoting it as a strategy to improve health in both the general population and those with medical conditions [26].”
Experience Similarity, Mindful Awareness, and Accurate Interpersonal Understanding
Kang, Y., Cakar, M. E., Shumaker, K., O’Donnell, M. B., & Falk, E. B. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01859-x · Cited by 11
Effectiveness of an app-based intervention to improve well-being through cultivating positive thinking and positive emotions in an adult sample: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Uribe, F. A. R., Favacho, M. F. M., Moura, P. M. N., Cortés‐Patiño, D. M., & Pedroso, J. D. S. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1200960 · Cited by 9
Wellbeing-responsive community: a growth target for intentional mental health promotion
Raymond, I. J., Burke, K. J., Agnew, K. J., & Kelly, D. M. (2023) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1271954 · Cited by 9
“Meta-analyses consistently show that programme ﬁdelity, or consistency of delivery as per the intended design, remains a strong predictor of intervention outcomes (48, 49).”
Background
Enhancing mental wellbeing by changing mindsets? Results from two randomized controlled trials
Schreiber, C., & Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2024) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-023-01470-2 · Cited by 15
Adapting a Positive Psychology Intervention using the Ecological Validity Model: Process and Lessons Learned
Shum, K. Z., Barry, E., Kiefer, S. M., Fefer, S. A., Suldo, S. M., Mahony-Atallah, K. E., Ferron, J. M., Blass, J., DiLeo, L. L., Lothrop, H., et al. (2024) · Contemporary School Psychology · doi:10.1007/s40688-024-00505-8 · Cited by 8
“Moreover, a meta-analysis showed that multi-component positive psychology interventions (PPIs) are more efficacious than single-target PPIs (van Agteren et al., 2021).”
The Profound Implications of the Meaning of Health for Health Care and Health Equity
Fiscella, K. A., & Epstein, R. M. (2023) · Milbank Quarterly · doi:10.1111/1468-0009.12660 · Cited by 9
Which Meditation Technique for Whom? An Experimental Single-Case Study Comparing Concentrative, Humming, Observing-Thoughts, and Walking Meditation
Matko, K., & Sedlmeier, P. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02248-8 · Cited by 8
“In a recent meta-analysis, meditation-based interventions proved to be among the most effective psychological interventions to improve mental well-being (van Agteren et al., 2021).”
Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Early-Childhood Behavioral Parenting Program that Promotes Parent and Child Well-Being in High-Risk Contexts
Lengua, L. J., Smith, M. R., Eo, A., Gonzalez, A. F., & Ruberry, E. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02307-8 · Cited by 7
“Mindfulness practices have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing mental health problems (van Agteren et al., 2021), as well as reducing parenting stress (Burg-dorf et al., 2019) and supporting effective parenting (Parent et al., 2016; Potharst et al., 2022).”
Large-scale data reveal disparate associations between leisure time physical activity patterns and mental health
Zhou, Y., Li, C., Wang, W., & Ding, L. (2023) · Communications Medicine · doi:10.1038/s43856-023-00399-2 · Cited by 8
Predicting which intervention works better for whom: Moderators of treatment effect of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Positive Psychology Intervention in patients with bipolar disorder
Hanssen, I., ten Klooster, P. M., Kraiss, J. T., Huijbers, M. J., Regeer, E. J., Kupka, R., Bohlmeijer, E. T., & Speckens, A. E. M. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.110 · Cited by 9
Recurrent negative autobiographical memories and mental health
Kredlow, M. A., Fitzgerald, H. E., Carpenter, J. K., Taghian, N. R., Otto, M. W., Hofmann, S. G., & Phelps, E. A. (2024) · Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.xjmad.2024.100074 · Cited by 7
“Some studies have investigated treatments to improve resilience following life adversities [73] and other studies have evaluated the improvement of general wellbeing [74].”
“My resistance melts away”: The role of mindfulness in supporting participatory researchers' efforts to share power with youth co‐researchers
Iacono, G., Elsaesser, C. M., & Courts, C. L. D. (2024) · American Journal of Community Psychology · doi:10.1002/ajcp.12760 · Cited by 7
Supporting parents in the transition to parenthood through wellbeing interventions; An international scoping review
Middleton, G., Matvienko‐Sikar, K., Briley, A. L., Dutch, D. C., Morgillo, S., Anderson, J., Schranz, N. K., Margrie, F., Kirby, R., Golley, R. K., et al. (2025) · Midwifery · doi:10.1016/j.midw.2025.104296 · Cited by 7
Designing Daily Supports for Parent-Child Conversations about Emotion: Ecological Momentary Assessment as Intervention
Ibrahim, S. B., Klasnja, P., Gross, J. J., & Slovák, P. (2025) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3706598.3713848 · Cited by 10
Facilitating change processes in group-based behaviour change interventions in rural African contexts: practical lessons from Ghana
Appiah, R. (2023) · International Journal of Mental Health Systems · doi:10.1186/s13033-023-00571-0 · Cited by 7
Targeting emotional regulation using an Internet‐delivered psychological intervention for cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial
Smith, I. S., Bind, M., Weihs, K. L., Bei, B., & Wiley, J. F. (2023) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjhp.12679 · Cited by 9
Aid utility theory: A new way of thinking about and tackling aid utilization neglect
Kassirer, S., & Kouchaki, M. (2023) · Research in Organizational Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.riob.2023.100196 · Cited by 6
Mindful self-reflection as a strategy to support sustainable high-performance coaching: A mixed method study
Hägglund, K., Kenttä, G., Bentzen, M., Thelwell, R. C., & Wagstaff, C. (2024) · Journal of Applied Sport Psychology · doi:10.1080/10413200.2024.2353288 · Cited by 9
“Following this thread, the monitoring of mood state and energy on a daily basis have been used as promising and sensitive indicators of recovery (Pawsey et al., 2021) and holistic well-being (Parker et al., 2021; van Agteren et al., 2021).”
Utilizing digital technologies to promote well-being in university students: the ‘DigiWell’ research protocol
Ruini, C., Vescovelli, F., Cesarano, V. P., Angelis, G. D., Marco, E. D., Marco, E. L. D., Galeazzi, G. M., Pira, G. L., Pingani, L., & Limone, P. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1397870 · Cited by 12
Teachers’ Work-Life Balance and Well-Being Across Opol East District, Division of Misamis Oriental
Duran, E. P., Pontillas, P. V., & Comon, J. D. (2024) · European Modern Studies Journal · doi:10.59573/emsj.8(4).2024.9 · Cited by 7
Effective elements of eHealth interventions for mental health and well-being in children and adolescents: A systematic review
Dietvorst, E., de Vries, L. P., van Eijl, S., Mesman, E., Legerstee, J. S., Keijsers, L., Hillegers, M. H. J., & Vreeker, A. (2024) · Digital Health · doi:10.1177/20552076241294105 · Cited by 9
The application of integrating electroencephalograph-based emotion recognition technology into brain–computer interface systems for the treatment of depression: a narrative review
Zhang, M., Yang, Y., Zhao, Y., Sui, C., Sui, Y., Jiang, Y., Liu, K., Yang, S., Wang, L., Chen, B., et al. (2024) · Advanced technology in neuroscience . · doi:10.4103/atn.atn-d-24-00018 · Cited by 9
Nature, activity, and social drivers of mental resilience: a test with mid-life women surfers
Buckley, R., & Cooper, M. (2025) · Tourism Recreation Research · doi:10.1080/02508281.2024.2437716 · Cited by 7
“There is extensive research on differences between individuals (van Agteren et al., 2021), with comparisons between: different components of human psychology, such as cognition or emotion (Bratman et al., 2024); individuals in good or poor mental health, and different types of mental ill health…”
The Big Minority View: Do Prescientific Beliefs Underpin Criminal Justice Cruelty, and Is the Public Health Quarantine Model a Remedy?
Logan, A. C., & Prescott, S. L. (2025) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph22081170 · Cited by 8
“Meta-analyses reveal that positive psychology interventions (even if we set aside poor evidentiary quality) have small to modest effect sizes [59,60].”
The language, framework, system enablers, and political commitment that a country needs to promote and protect the mental health of its citizens
Carbone, S. R. (2024) · Mental Health & Prevention · doi:10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200324 · Cited by 7
Can destigmatizing mental health increase willingness to seek help? Experimental evidence from Nepal
Lacey, L., Mishra, N., Mukherjee, P., Prakash, N., Prakash, N., Quinn, D. M., Sabarwal, S., & Saraswat, D. (2024) · Journal of Policy Analysis and Management · doi:10.1002/pam.22643 · Cited by 7
Cost-utility analysis of the UPRIGHT intervention promoting resilience in adolescents
Mar, J., Larrañaga, I., Ibarrondo, O., González-Pinto, A. M., Hayas, C. L., Fullaondo, A., Izco-Basurko, I., Alonso, J., Zorrilla, E. P., Fernández-Sevillano, J., et al. (2023) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-023-04665-4 · Cited by 6
“Although the literature contains numerous examples of school-based interventions aimed to boost adolescents’ resilience and wellbeing [6], they have rarely undergone economic evaluation [7].”

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

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

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

Abstract

Overview

Integrity signals

Verification

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Citations

Cites

Cited by

Related

Metadata

Record

About these checks