Universal and selective interventions to prevent poor mental health outcomes in young people: systematic review and meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
Background Much is not known about the efficacy of interventions to prevent poor mental health outcomes in young people by targeting either the general population (universal prevention) or asymptomatic individuals with high risk of developing a mental disorder (selective prevention). Methods We conducted a PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis of Web of Science to identify studies comparing post-test efficacy (effect size [ES]; Hedges' g) of universal or selective interventions for poor mental health outcomes versus control groups, in samples with mean age Results 295 articles (447,206 individuals; mean age = 15.4) appraising 17 poor mental health outcomes were included. Compared to control conditions, universal and selective interventions improved (in descending magnitude order) interpersonal violence, general psychological distress, alcohol use, anxiety features, affective symptoms, other emotional and behavioral problems, consequences of alcohol use, posttraumatic stress disorder features, conduct problems, tobacco use, externalizing behaviors, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder features, and cannabis use, but not eating-related problems, impaired functioning, internalizing behavior, or sleep-related problems. Psychoeducation had the highest effect size for ADHD features, affective symptoms, and interpersonal violence. Psychotherapy had the highest effect size for anxiety features. Conclusion Universal and selective preventive interventions for y…
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Universal and selective interventions are effective in young people for alcohol use, psychological distress, anxiety features, affective symptoms, and other emotional and behavioural problems, but not for eating-related problems.
“Universal and selective interventions are effective in young people for alcohol use, psychological distress, anxiety features, affective symptoms, and other emotional and behavioural problems, but not for eating-related problems. 277”
From The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health (2024) · cites this paper as [277]
Psychoeducation for affective symptoms and psychotherapy for anxiety features have been found to be effective preventive interventions.
“Other specific preventive interventions that have been found to be effective include psychoeducation for affective symptoms and psychotherapy for anxiety features. 277”
From The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health (2024) · cites this paper as [277]
Universal and selective interventions also have value for preventive efforts.
“Although indicated prevention is currently the most promising avenue for preventive efforts, 198,275 universal and selective interventions also have value. 276,277”
From The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health (2024) · cites this paper as [277]
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References 366 · Cited by 51
- Authors
- Salazar de Pablo, G., De Micheli, A., Solmi, M., Oliver, D., Catalan, A., Verdino, V., Di Maggio, L., Bonoldi, I., Radua, J., Baccaredda Boy, O., Provenzani, U., Ruzzi, F., Calorio, F., Nosari, G., Di Marco, B., Famularo, I., Montealegre, I., Signorini, L., Molteni, S., Filosi, E., Mensi, M., Balottin, U., Politi, P., Shin, J. I., Correll, C. U., Arango, C., & Fusar-Poli, P.
- ORCID
- Venue
- Harvard Review of Psychiatry
- Published
- 2021-05
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 196-215
- ISSN
- 1067-3229 (ISSN-L)
- 1465-7309
- OpenAlex
- W3120119382
- Cited by
- 51
- References
- 366
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 1.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- oce.ovid.com
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-nd
- Locations
- Harvard Review of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- YUHSpace (Yonsei University Medical Library) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Keywords
- universal prevention, selective prevention, mental health prevention, youth, adolescents, psychological distress, interpersonal violence, alcohol consumption, cannabis use, tobacco use, anxiety, conduct problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, psychoeducation, psychotherapy, post-traumatic stress disorder, emotional and behavioral problems
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Humans, Psychotherapy, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Outcome Assessment, Health Care
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