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Cited by 189Mental Health Treatment and AccessAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesMental Health and Patient Involvement

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 88 of the 88 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Effects of befriending on depressive symptoms and distress: systematic review and meta-analysis

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Mead, Nicola, Lester, Helen, Chew-Graham, Carolyn, Gask, Linda, Bower, Peter·2010·British Journal of Psychiatry
DOI 10.1192/bjp.bp.109.064089
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Abstract

Background: High rates of emotional distress and depressive symptoms in the community can reflect difficult life events and social circumstances. There is a need for appropriate, low-cost, non-medical interventions for many individuals. Befriending is an emotional support intervention commonly offered by the voluntary sector. Aims: To examine the effectiveness of befriending in the treatment of emotional distress and depressive symptoms. Method: Systematic review of randomised trials of interventions focused on providing emotional support to individuals in the community. Results: Compared with usual care or no treatment, befriending had a modest but significant effect on depressive symptoms in the short term (standardised mean difference SMD=−0.27, 95% CI −0.48 to −0.06, nine studies) and long term (SMD = −0.18, 95% CI −0.32 to −0.05, five studies). Conclusions: Befriending has a modest effect on depressive symptoms and emotional distress in varied patient groups. Further exploration of active ingredients, appropriate target populations and optimal methods of delivery is required.

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Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Dean, 1998, Supporting Community Participation; the Role and Impact of Befriending
  2. Higgins, 2009, Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.0.1
  3. 2008, High Quality Care for All: NHS Next Stage Review Final Report
  4. 2008, Support, Time and Recovery Workers. A Competence Framework
  5. 10.1192/bjp.174.3.225 · DOI
  6. 2007, Depression: Management of Depression in Primary and Secondary Care

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Metadata

Authors
Mead, N., Lester, H., Chew-Graham, C., Gask, L., & Bower, P.
Affiliations
University of Manchester (GB)
Corresponding author
Mead, Nicola
ORCID
Venue
British Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Published
2010-02
Volume
196
Issue
2
Pages
96-101
ISSN
  • 0007-1250 (ISSN-L)
  • 1472-1465
DOI
10.1192/bjp.bp.109.064089
OpenAlex
W2151798133
Cited by
189
References
88
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 9
FWCI
1.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 2892 d)
Locations
  • The British Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute for Health and Care Research
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
Keywords
befriending, depressive symptoms, emotional distress, community mental health, non-medical interventions, voluntary sector, low-cost interventions, treatment effectiveness
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Community Mental Health Services, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Social Support, Stress, Psychological, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult

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