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Behavioral activation interventions for well-being: A meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
One of the most promising ways to increase well-being is to engage in valued and enjoyable activities. Behavioral activation (BA), an intervention approach most commonly associated with the treatment of depression, is consistent with this recommendation and can easily be adapted for non-clinical populations. This study reports on a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies to examine the effect of BA on well-being. Twenty studies with a total of 1353 participants were included. The pooled effect size (Hedges's g) indicated that the difference in well-being between BA and control conditions at posttest was 0.52. This significant effect, which is comparable to the pooled effect achieved by positive psychology interventions, was found for non-clinical participants and participants with elevated symptoms of depression. Behavioral activation would seem to provide a ready and attractive intervention for promoting the well-being of a range of populations in both clinical and non-clinical settings.
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“Consistent with this proposal, prevailing intervention approaches for anxiety and depression display modest effects on the positive affect system and associated outcomes (e.g., psychological well-being)6, 59–62”
From Upregulating the positive affect system in anxiety and depression: Outcomes of a positive activity intervention: Taylor et al. (2017) · cites this paper as [59]
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Items 301–319 of 319
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Hassett, A. L., Voepel‐Lewis, T., Zhu, G., Parks, A. C., Tsodikov, A., Long, J., Shaikh, S., Burgess, B., Brummett, C. M., Clauw, D. J., et al. (2026) · Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine · doi:10.1136/rapm-2025-107389
“34 The skills learned in behavioral therapies can become habits that persist long after the beneficial effects from an injection or other administered intervention have subsided.”
Hwang, M., Son, S., Nam, Y.-J., & Kim, T. (2026) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2026.117089
Verstegen, N. A., Kooiman, B., Robberegt, S. J., Vuuregge, A. H., Bockting, C., Nauta, M. H., & Stikkelbroek, Y. A. J. (2026) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2026.121706
Sgherza, T. R., Becerra, R., Bylsma, L. M., Fresco, D. M., & Naragon‐Gainey, K. (2026) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.beth.2026.04.002 · Cited by 1
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Córdoba-Delgado, M. A., Sierra, V. M., López, J. G. R., Ferreira, N. S. M., Meza, M. G. C., & González-Ballesteros, L. M. (2026) · doi:10.2196/preprints.99756
Tuck, A. B., Taillon, G. A., & Thompson, R. J. (2026) · Affective Science · doi:10.1007/s42761-026-00375-8
KOŞAN, Y., & Kaya, M. (2026) · Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1007/s10942-026-00666-w
“As an evidence-based and widely supported intervention, BA aims to empower individuals to engage in meaningful and enjoyable activities, thereby boosting life satisfaction (Mazzucchelli et al., 2010).”
Rahman, H., Manna, R. M., Usmani, N. G., Chandra, P., Amin, M. B., Ara, T., Amin, M. R., Khan, M. A., Ahmed, H. U., Akter, E., et al. (2026) · Depression and Anxiety · doi:10.1155/da/9552571
“Online delivery of such interventions may also enhance accessibility within telemental healthcare frameworks, addressing overlapping symptom pathways and improving overall treatment outcomes [44 – 46].”
Ban, D. P. (2026) · International journal of evidence based coaching and mentoring · doi:10.1177/17418305261461880
“Behavioral activation reinforces positive emotions and has been demonstrated to increase psychological wellbeing and decrease responses to stressors (Mazzucchelli et al., 2010).”
Hogg, B., Coppens, E., Gatto, D. L., Gil, C. D. C., Ayuso‐Mateos, J. L., Bakiu, K., Callanan, A., Pashoja, A. C., da Conceição, V., Dandi, Ε., et al. (2026) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0352598
Teaching Students Deliberate Rest: A Proof-of-Concept Study
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Psychotherapy vs antidepressants in heart failure: Impact of adherence
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Lall, V., Ree, M. J., & Bucks, R. S. (2026) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2026.105146
Maciejewski, J., Lesnierowska, M., Carlbring, P., & Smoktunowicz, E. (2026) · Internet Interventions · doi:10.1016/j.invent.2026.101006
“The first exercise, planning pleasant activities (Mazzucchelli et al., 2010), encouraged participants to intentionally schedule and engage in short, enjoyable activity that can be easily incorporated into their daily work routine.”
Collado, A., Welch, S. B., Sambirsky, K., Long, P., & Dimidjian, S. (2026) · Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment · doi:10.1016/j.josat.2026.210136
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Metadata
- Authors
- Mazzucchelli, T. G., Kane, R. T., & Rees, C. S.
- Affiliations
- Curtin University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Mazzucchelli, Trevor G.
- Venue
- The Journal of Positive Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2010-03
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 105-121
- ISSN
- 1743-9760 (ISSN-L)
- 1743-9779
- PMC
- PMC2882847
- OpenAlex
- W1970182819
- Cited by
- 319
- References
- 83
- Citations by year
- 2026: 29 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 45 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 1.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- The Journal of Positive Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- eSpace (Curtin University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Keywords
- behavioral activation, well-being, positive psychology interventions, depression, non-clinical population, valued activities
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