A systematic review and meta-analysis of psychological interventions to improve mental wellbeing

Author: Joep van Agteren1,2, Matthew Iasiello3,4,5, Laura Lo3, Jonathan Bartholomaeus3,6,7, Zoe Kopsaftis8,9,10, Marissa Carey3, Michael Kyrios3,4,11
Affiliation:
1 Wellbeing and Resilience Centre, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Joep.vanagteren@sahmri.com.
2 Órama Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Joep.vanagteren@sahmri.com.
3 Wellbeing and Resilience Centre, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
4 Órama Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
5 College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
6 School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
7 Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
8 Australian Centre for Precision Health, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
9 Respiratory Medicine Unit, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Woodville South, South Australia, Australia.
10 Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
11 College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Conference/Journal: Nat Hum Behav
Date published: 2021 Apr 19
Other: Special Notes: doi: 10.1038/s41562-021-01093-w. , Word Count: 158

Our current understanding of the efficacy of psychological interventions in improving mental states of wellbeing is incomplete. This study aimed to overcome limitations of previous reviews by examining the efficacy of distinct types of psychological interventions, irrespective of their theoretical underpinning, and the impact of various moderators, in a unified systematic review and meta-analysis. Four-hundred-and-nineteen randomized controlled trials from clinical and non-clinical populations (n = 53,288) were identified for inclusion. Mindfulness-based and multi-component positive psychological interventions demonstrated the greatest efficacy in both clinical and non-clinical populations. Meta-analyses also found that singular positive psychological interventions, cognitive and behavioural therapy-based, acceptance and commitment therapy-based, and reminiscence interventions were impactful. Effect sizes were moderate at best, but differed according to target population and moderator, most notably intervention intensity. The evidence quality was generally low to moderate. While the evidence requires further advancement, the review provides insight into how psychological interventions can be designed to improve mental wellbeing.


PMID: 33875837 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01093-w

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