The DOI matches its Crossref record; 83 of the 85 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Effect of psychotherapy for depression on quality of life: meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
Background: Several meta-analyses have shown that psychotherapy is effective for reducing depressive symptom severity. However, the impact on quality of life (QoL) is as yet unknown. Aims: To investigate the effectiveness of psychotherapy for depression on global QoL and on the mental health and physical health components of QoL. Method: We conducted a meta-analysis of 44 randomised clinical trials comparing psychotherapy for adults experiencing clinical depression or elevated depressive symptoms with a control group. We used subgroup analyses to explore the influence of various study characteristics on the effectiveness of treatment. Results: We detected a small to moderate effect size (Hedges' g = 0.33, 95% CI 0.24–0.42) for global QoL, a moderate effect size for the mental health component ( g = 0.42, 95% CI 0.33–0.51) and, after removing an outlier, a small but statistically significant effect size for the physical health component ( g = 0.16, 95% CI 0.05–0.27). Multivariate meta-regression analyses showed that the effect size of depressive symptoms was significantly related to the effect size of the mental health component of QoL. The effect size of depressive symptoms was not related to global QoL or the physical health component. Conclusions: Psychotherapy for depression has a positive impact on the QoL of patients with depression. Improvements in QoL are not fully explained by improvements in depressive symptom severity.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Withdrawal symptoms have been reported to occur typically within a few days and persist for a few weeks; but many variations are possible including later onset and longer duration. 526”
From Time for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission (2022) · cites this paper as [526]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses
Higgins, J. P. T., Thompson, S. G., Deeks, J. J., & Altman, D. G. (2003) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7414.557 · Cited by 63,139
The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials
Higgins, J. P. T., Altman, D. G., Gotzsche, P. C., Juni, P., Moher, D., Oxman, A. D., Savovic, J., Schulz, K. F., Weeks, L., Sterne, J. A. C., et al. (2011) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.d5928 · Cited by 33,817
Duval, S., & Tweedie, R. (2000) · Biometrics · doi:10.1111/j.0006-341x.2000.00455.x · Cited by 14,099
CONSORT 2010 Statement: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials
the CONSORT Group, Schulz, K. F., Altman, D. G., & Moher, D. (2010) · BMC Medicine · doi:10.1186/1741-7015-8-18 · Cited by 13,371
Projections of Global Mortality and Burden of Disease from 2002 to 2030
Mathers, C. D., & Loncar, D. (2006) · PLoS Medicine · doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0030442 · Cited by 11,386
Borenstein, M., Hedges, L. V., Higgins, J. P. T., & Rothstein, H. R. (2021) · doi:10.1002/9781119558378 · Cited by 9,799
Cohen, J. (1992) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/1467-8721.ep10768783 · Cited by 5,870
CONSORT 2010 statement: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomized trials
Schulz, K. F., Altman, D. G., Moher, D., & for the CONSORT Group* (2010) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-152-11-201006010-00232 · Cited by 3,824
Fixed-and random-effects models in meta-analysis.
Hedges, L. V., & Vevea, J. L. (1998) · Psychological Methods · doi:10.1037/1082-989x.3.4.486 · Cited by 2,977
Mediators and Mechanisms of Change in Psychotherapy Research
Kazdin, A. E. (2007) · Annual Review of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.3.022806.091432 · Cited by 2,504
Research works printed but not linked: 6
- Borenstein, 2011, Introduction to Metaanalysis.
- Harbord, 2009, Metareg: Stata Module to Perform Meta-analysis Regression.
- Hedges, 2014, Statistical Method for Meta-analysis.
- Borenstein, 2005, Comprehensive Meta-analysis Version 2, 104
- Barlow, 1986, A Group Treatment for Depression in the Elderly.
- Higgins, 2011, Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 101–152 of 152
Iliou, K., Kouletsos, A., Dokali, A. M., Katsiana, A., & Georgiou, K. (2024) · Psychiatry International · doi:10.3390/psychiatryint5040051 · Cited by 1
“Both the present research and the research by Kolovos underscore the effectiveness of their respective treatments—pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy—in managing MDD, particularly in improving depressive symptoms and enhancing patient outcomes [46].”
Antidepressant prescriptions by provider in patients with kidney failure and depression
Shin, D. H., Kim, D. G., Kim, S. H., Lee, T. S., Hwang, S. W., Lee, J. Y., & Lee, J. (2025) · Clinical Kidney Journal · doi:10.1093/ckj/sfaf374 · Cited by 1
“However, there is limited research on the impact of the prescribing physician’s specialty on patient outcomes following antidepressant treatment [14 –16 ].”
Segal, S. K., Weber, C. L., Gruschkus, S. K., Kaplan, A. M., Miller, S., & Ivany, C. (2026) · Psychiatric Services · doi:10.1176/appi.ps.20250258 · Cited by 1
Ressourcen aktivieren: Förderung von Wohlbefinden bei älteren Menschen
Röhrle, B. (2022) · Psychotherapie: Praxis · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-63821-7_26 · Cited by 1
The Efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Weissman, M. M., & Mootz, J. J. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780197652084.003.0003 · Cited by 1
Peipert, A., Adams, S. M., & Lorenzo‐Luaces, L. (2025) · Assessment · doi:10.1177/10731911251326399 · Cited by 2
“Research further supports the notion that QOL assessments which are multidimensional in nature, as opposed to global or general, are necessary to truly capture the concept (Ay-Woan et al., 2006; Gaynes et al., 2002; Kolovos et al., 2016; Kuehner & Buerger, 2005).”
InfluentialFi, B., Veltishchev, D. Y., Volel, B. A., Garganeeva, N. P., Kopylov, F. Y., Lareva, N. V., Medvedev, V. E., Mosolov, S. N., Petrova, M. M., Петрунько, О. В., et al. (2025) · Kardiologiia · doi:10.18087/cardio.2025.6.n2921 · Cited by 2
Depressionen: Psychotherapie wirkt positiv auf die Lebensqualität
Ruchalla, E. (2017) · Fortschritte der Neurologie · Psychiatrie · doi:10.1055/s-0043-100093 · Cited by 1
Satisfação e qualidade de vida em psicoterapia: um estudo piloto em clínica-escola
Bacelar, T. D., de Figueredo-Campos, J. G., Lopes, F. C., & de Paula, J. J. (2020) · Revista Psicologia Diversidade e Saúde · doi:10.17267/2317-3394rpds.v9i3.3217 · Cited by 1
Karyotaki, E. (2023) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2023.50.pr6 · Cited by 1
Treating depression with activation
Nyström, M. B. T. (2018) · KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Differenzielle Therapieentscheidung bei unipolaren Depressionen
Gärtner, T., & Voderholzer, U. (2018) · DNP - Der Neurologe und Psychiater · doi:10.1007/s15202-018-2092-5
Braillon, A., & Taiebi, F. (2019) · La Presse Médicale · doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2019.02.003
Depression, anxiety, and quality of life
Gao, K., & Zhang, J. (2021) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-817935-2.00016-7 · Cited by 1
Bortenschlager, F., Büsselmann, M., & Wolstein, J. R. (2022) · Forensische Psychiatrie Psychologie Kriminologie · doi:10.1007/s11757-022-00732-w
“…auch die affektive Verfassung der Untergebrachten einen großen Einflussfaktor auf die Lebensqualität dar (Bullinger et al. 2019), wobei eine zum depressiven Pol verschobene Affektivität negativ mit der Lebensqualität assoziiert ist (Kolovos et al. 2016; Püschner 2012; Renneberg und Lippke 2006).”
BackgroundEffective Training and Delivery of ACT
Walser, R. D., & Wharton, E. (2022) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197550076.013.25
Sánchez-Contreras, Y., Poveda, B. I. A., Gutierrez, D. N. A., & Gómez, R. M. Á. (2023) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.106666
Depression in Older Adults - A Review
Zhou, K., Tan, S. Y., Arroyo, S. P., & Lim, S. C. (2023) · Neurology and Neuroscience · doi:10.33425/2692-7918.1044
Karyotaki, E., Miguel, C., Panagiotopoulou, O. M., et al. (2023) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2023.50.pr2
Karyotaki, E., Miguel, C., Panagiotopoulou, O. M., et al. (2023) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2023.50.pr8
Karyotaki, E., Miguel, C., Panagiotopoulou, O. M., et al. (2023) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2023.50.pr5
Karyotaki, E., Miguel, C., Panagiotopoulou, O. M., et al. (2023) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2023.50.pr3
Karyotaki, E., Miguel, C., Panagiotopoulou, O. M., et al. (2023) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2023.50.pr9
Karyotaki, E., Miguel, C., Panagiotopoulou, O. M., et al. (2023) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2023.50.pr10
Karyotaki, E., Miguel, C., Panagiotopoulou, O. M., et al. (2023) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2023.50.pr7
Karyotaki, E., Miguel, C., Panagiotopoulou, O. M., et al. (2023) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2023.50.pr4
Karyotaki, E. (2023) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2023.50.pr1
Efendiev, I. R. E. I. R. (2022) · INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE MEDICINE & HEALTHCARE · doi:10.55858/ijimh02022023-42
Efendiev, I. R. E. I. R. (2022) · INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE MEDICINE & HEALTHCARE · doi:10.55858/ijimh02022023-34
Depressionen: Psychotherapie wirkt positiv auf die Lebensqualität
(2024) · PPmP - Psychotherapie · Psychosomatik · Medizinische Psychologie · doi:10.1055/a-2202-8481
Uhlmann, C., Dzierzega, H., & Schmid, P. (2024) · Epilepsy & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.110101
“Meta-analyses have confirmed that HRQoL can be improved in various mental disorders by treating and reducing depressive symptoms [38,39,40].”
BackgroundQuality of Life in Mental Disorders
Enea, V., & Diaconu‐Gherasim, L. R. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-32035-4_2-1
Cook, P. F., Aagaard, L. M., Avery, L. K., Long, N., Alford, A., & Sandella, D. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1539079
Lv, L., Han, K., Meng, L., Wang, J., Yin, H. Y., Ren, K. W., & Liu, Z. (2025) · PubMed Central · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1564225
“The results of Depression is a severe psychological disorder characterized by this study show that after three months of intervention, the study low self-evaluation, guilt, negativity, and even tendencies toward group had higher scores in physical functioning, role limitations self-harm and suicide, which seriously af…”
InfluentialSurvivor’s Bias in Psychotherapy
Math, S. B. (2025) · Journal of Psychiatry Spectrum · doi:10.4103/jopsys.jopsys_123_25
Потапкина, Е., Русинова, А., Устинов, Д., Тимошина, Е., Подшибякин, А., Осадчий, А., & Володина, М. (2025) · doi:10.24108/preprints-3113739
Machingura, T., & Hurley, C. (2025) · BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBLISHERS eBooks · doi:10.2174/9789815313710125010011
Butt, F., Klein, J. P., Schefft, C., & Köhler, S. (2025) · Quality of Life Research · doi:10.1007/s11136-025-04057-z · Cited by 1
“Similarly, Kolovos et al. [20] reported small to moderate effects, distinguishing between global QoL (g = 0.33, 95% CI 0.24–0.42), mental health (g = 0.42, 95% CI 0.33–0.51), and physical health (g = 0.16, 95% CI 0.05–0.27).”
InfluentialMereduksi Psikohealing, Psikoterapi Lansia pada Pesantren Ramadhan Masjid Demak
Zuhri, Z. (2025) · Jurnal Pembelajaran Bimbingan dan Pengelolaan Pendidikan · doi:10.17977/um065.v6.i1.2026.4
Anderson, C., & Linardon, J. (2025) · Cognitive Behaviour Therapy · doi:10.1080/16506073.2025.2599349
“Nevertheless, the findings align with the face-to-face psychotherapy literature showing that specialized treatments for depression and anxiety also enhance patients’ quality of life and general wellbeing (Hofmann et al., 2014; Kolovos et al., 2016).”
InfluentialFeng, Q., Yang, S., Ye, S., Wan, C., Wang, H., & You, J. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26751721
Sarı, T., & Bilkay, H. İ. (2025) · Adıyaman Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi · doi:10.30569/adiyamansaglik.1687430
Exercise can be as effective as medication for depression and anxiety – new study
Munro, N. R., Teague, S. J., Dimmock, J. A., & Somoray, K. (2026) · The Conversation · doi:10.64628/aa.sa9ysphwh
Jiang, Y., Luo, C., & Zou, Y. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1772673
“The consequences of depression are far-reaching, often diminishing an individual ’ s daily functioning and social participation, and in severe cases, may result in self-injury or suicidal thoughts (10, 11).”
Carpallo-González, M., Esteller-Collado, G., González‐Blanch, C., Prieto-Vila, M., Ruiz‐Rodríguez, P., Moriana, J. A., Vindel, A. C., & Muñoz‐Navarro, R. (2026) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2026.105045
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Depression
Knudsen, F. M., & Levin, M. E. (2026) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-29009-1.00065-2
Cognitive Framework for Aircraft Piloting: A Core Cognition Set
Huang, H.-Y., Guo, Y., Lu, J., Li, F., & Wu, Y. (2026) · Behavioral Science · doi:10.3390/bs16081348
“Consistent with the criterion that at least three effect sizes are required for a meaningful subgroup analysis (Kolovos et al., 2016), this module was excluded from further quantitative synthesis.”
Group and online application of the Unified Protocol in Argentina: controlled pilot study
Kaplan, M., Celleri, M., Klajner, F., Cremades, C. F., & Garay, C. J. (2026) · Cognitive Behaviour Therapy · doi:10.1080/16506073.2026.2720138
Identifying Patients at Risk for Psychotherapy Dropout in Community Settings
Giber, B., Sharma, A., Broadie, D., McCoy, T. H., Gunning, F. M., Perlis, R. H., Doshi‐Velez, F., & Solomonov, N. (2026) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.31565
Pouilloux, G., Henault, M., Vinais, T., Bodeau, N., Laplace, B., & Paquet, A. (2026) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-026-08347-9
“In contrast, psychotherapy, by directly targeting overall well-being, has been associated with significant enhancements in quality of life [8], whereas pharmacotherapy exerts a more indirect effect through symptom reduction [9].”
Metadata
- Authors
- Kolovos, S., Kleiboer, A., & Cuijpers, P.
- Affiliations
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg (DE)
- Utrecht University (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Kolovos, Spyros
- Venue
- British Journal of Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
- Published
- 2016-12
- Volume
- 209
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 460-468
- ISSN
- 0007-1250 (ISSN-L)
- 1472-1465
- OpenAlex
- W2510438371
- Cited by
- 153
- References
- 85
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 2
- FWCI
- 1.63
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- The British Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Multilingual Matters (Channel View Publications) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- VU Research Portal (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Keywords
- psychotherapy, depression, quality of life, mental health, physical health, depression severity, treatment effectiveness
- MeSH terms
- Depression, Depressive Disorder, Humans, Psychotherapy, Quality of Life, Outcome Assessment, Health Care
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
