Psychosocial Interventions for Preventing Mental Health Conditions in Adolescents With Emotional Problems: A Meta-Analysis.

Abstract

Mental health conditions constitute a major burden of disease for adolescents globally and can lead to significant adverse consequences. This systematic review aimed to identify if psychosocial interventions are effective in preventing mental health conditions in adolescents already experiencing emotional problems. We searched for randomized controlled trials comparing psychosocial interventions for preventing mental health conditions with care as usual in adolescents aged 10-19 who are experiencing symptoms of emotional problems. We searched PubMed/Medline, PsycINFO, ERIC, EMBASE, and ASSIA databases to identify studies. We found 82 eligible studies (n = 13,562 participants). Findings show that interventions can reduce mental health conditions and increase positive mental health. Across all reported time points, psychosocial interventions showed significant, small-to moderate-sized beneficial effects on preventing mental health conditions (SMD: -0.26, 95% CI [-0.42, -0.19] and small positive effects on positive mental health (SMD: 0.17, 95% CI [0.097, 0.29]. There were no statistically significant pooled findings suggesting that psychosocial interventions had either a positive or negative effect on self-harm or suicide; aggressive, disruptive and oppositional behavior; substance use; or school attendance. Despite the positive findings, a critical gap exists in the design of effective psychosocial interventions to reduce self-harm and suicide, and other risk behaviors in adolescents with symptoms of emotional problems.