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

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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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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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