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
Open accessAbstract
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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“There is evidence that befriending (a one-to-one intervention) is effective in reducing depression in older people [29].”
From Can support workers from AgeUK deliver an intervention to support older people with anxiety and depression? A qualitative evaluation (2019) · cites this paper as [29]
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“Befriending has been used as both a standalone therapy to treat depression by facilitating social engagement (Mead et al., 2010)”
From Can acceptance and commitment therapy facilitate psychological adjustment after a severe traumatic brain injury? A pilot randomized controlled trial. (2020) · cites this paper as Mead et al., 2010
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Cites
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Self-citation
Research works printed but not linked: 6
- Dean, 1998, Supporting Community Participation; the Role and Impact of Befriending
- Higgins, 2009, Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.0.1
- 2008, High Quality Care for All: NHS Next Stage Review Final Report
- 2008, Support, Time and Recovery Workers. A Competence Framework
- 10.1192/bjp.174.3.225 · DOI
- 2007, Depression: Management of Depression in Primary and Secondary Care
Cited by
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Social determinants of mental health
Allen, J., Balfour, R., Bell, R., & Marmot, M. (2014) · International Review of Psychiatry · doi:10.3109/09540261.2014.928270 · Cited by 1,411
Loneliness: clinical import and interventions
Cacioppo, S., Grippo, A. J., London, S., Goossens, L., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2015) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/1745691615570616 · Cited by 1,206
Lund, C., Brooke-Sumner, C., Baingana, F., Baron, E. C., Breuer, E., Chandra, P., Haushofer, J., Herrman, H., Jordans, M., Kieling, C., et al. (2018) · The Lancet Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(18)30060-9 · Cited by 1,147
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Mental health promotion and mental illness prevention: the economic case
Knapp, M. R. J., McDaid, D., & Parsonage, M. (2011) · London School of Economics and Political Science Research Online (London School of Economics and Political Science) · Cited by 341
Metadata
- Authors
- Mead, N., Lester, H., Chew-Graham, C., Gask, L., & Bower, P.
- Affiliations
- University of Manchester (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Mead, Nicola
- 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
- 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
- bronze
- doi.org
- 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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