Logotherapy for Depressive Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis of Passive and Active Control Studies

To evaluate the efficacy of logotherapy for depressive symptoms, this investigation meta-analyzed 35 studies (N = 1656). Results showed that logotherapy had a significant, very large effect compared to passive controls (e.g., waitlists) at postintervention (n = 23, d = 1.885, 95% CI [1.383, 2.388], p < 0.001, I² = 0.89) and follow-up (n = 5, d = 1.961, 95% CI [0.641, 3.282], p = 0.004, I² = 0.93). In comparison to active controls (e.g., other interventions), results showed that logotherapy had a significant, large effect at postintervention (n = 12, d = 0.797, 95% CI [0.280, 1.314], p = 0.003, I² = 0.90) and a medium to large effect at follow-up (n = 5, d = 0.705, 95% CI [0.089, 1.321], p = 0.025, I² = 0.83). All mean effect sizes showed significant heterogeneity, explained in part by moderators of study location, measures used, and type of active control. Overall, logotherapy appears to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms compared to no treatment and other treatments. Given heterogeneity, more research is needed, particularly outside of Asia and in comparison with bona fide psychotherapeutic approaches.