Integrating mental health interventions in higher education: An evidence-based umbrella review

IF 2.6 3区医学 Q2 PSYCHIATRY

Mental Health and Physical Activity Pub Date : 2025-07-09 DOI:10.1016/j.mhpa.2025.100708

García-Pérez Laura, Ubago-Jiménez José Luis, Cepero-González Mar, Padial-Ruz Rosario

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Abstract

University students face increasing mental health challenges, including anxiety, stress, and depression, affecting their well-being and academic performance. This review assessed the effectiveness of physical activity interventions (PAI) combined with mindfulness-based therapy (MBT), mindfulness-based interventions (MBI), and psychoeducational interventions (PPI) in improving mental health. A systematic search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, including recent meta-analyses. A total of 24 meta-analyses were included, encompassing a wide range of mental health outcomes in university students. Statistical analyses included the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model, heterogeneity tests (I²), and Egger's regression test for publication bias. Results showed that combined Findings indicate that had the strongest and most consistent effects, particularly for reducing stress (SMD = −1.37) and depression (SMD = −0.79). MBI produced moderate effects on anxiety (SMD = −0.45), while PPI and MBI + PPI yielded limited improvements. These findings support the prioritization of PAI + MBT programs in university mental health strategies. Future research should aim to standardize protocols and explore intervention effectiveness across diverse student subgroups.

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高等教育中心理健康干预的整合：基于证据的综合评价

大学生面临着越来越多的心理健康挑战，包括焦虑、压力和抑郁，影响着他们的健康和学习成绩。本综述评估了身体活动干预（PAI）联合正念治疗（MBT）、正念干预（MBI）和心理教育干预（PPI）在改善心理健康方面的有效性。在Scopus， Web of Science和PubMed中进行了系统搜索，包括最近的荟萃分析。共纳入了24项荟萃分析，涵盖了广泛的大学生心理健康结果。统计分析包括DerSimonian和Laird随机效应模型、异质性检验（I2）和Egger发表偏倚回归检验。结果表明，综合研究结果表明，具有最强和最一致的效果，特别是在减轻压力（SMD = - 1.37）和抑郁（SMD = - 0.79）方面。MBI对焦虑产生中等影响（SMD = - 0.45），而PPI和MBI + PPI的改善有限。这些发现支持PAI + MBT项目在大学心理健康策略中的优先级。未来的研究应着眼于标准化的方案，并探索不同学生群体的干预效果。

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来源期刊

Mental Health and Physical Activity PSYCHIATRY-

CiteScore

6.70

自引率

6.40%

发文量

审稿时长

32 days

期刊介绍： The aims of Mental Health and Physical Activity will be: (1) to foster the inter-disciplinary development and understanding of the mental health and physical activity field; (2) to develop research designs and methods to advance our understanding; (3) to promote the publication of high quality research on the effects of physical activity (interventions and a single session) on a wide range of dimensions of mental health and psychological well-being (eg, depression, anxiety and stress responses, mood, cognitive functioning and neurological disorders, such as dementia, self-esteem and related constructs, psychological aspects of quality of life among people with physical and mental illness, sleep, addictive disorders, eating disorders), from both efficacy and effectiveness trials;