Secondary Effects of Body Dissatisfaction Interventions on Adolescent Depressive Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: Depression is a leading cause of disability among adolescents, yet existing treatments are variably effective, suggesting needs to identify novel intervention targets. Body dissatisfaction (BD) may be a promising, but understudied, target: BD is common among adolescents; prospectively associated with future depression; and modifiable through intervention. BD interventions are typically evaluated in terms of impacts on eating disorders, but many trials also measure depression-related secondary outcomes. However, BD intervention effects on depression have not been systematically examined. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to estimate secondary effects of BD interventions on depression symptoms and related outcomes in adolescents (ages 12-19). Method: Our systematic review included RCTs published between January 2006-December 2020. Across-group effect sizes were analyzed using robust variance estimation. Pre-registered methods, data, and analytic code are available at https://osf.io/734n8/. Results: The meta-analysis included thirteen RCTs, 50 effect sizes, and 6,962 participants. BD interventions led to significant post-intervention reductions in depression-related outcomes versus control conditions (g = -.19 at post-intervention, 95% CI -.07, -.31, p = .005). No evidence emerged for moderators of this meta-analytic effect. Discussion: Overall, BD-focused interventions significantly reduced adolescent depression, with mean post-intervention effect sizes comparable to those observed for interventions targeting depression explicitly. Results are bolstered by pre-registered methods and robustness checks. Limitations include a lack of data on participants’ sexual and gender identities and a significant risk of bias in the underlying literature. Future research on BD interventions should measure depression symptom severity as a secondary outcome.

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Looking beyond depression: A meta-analysis of the effect of behavioral activation on depression, anxiety, and activation

10.31234/osf.io/bhyg9 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Aliza Stein ◽

Emily Carl ◽

Eirini Karyotaki ◽

Pim Cuijpers ◽

Jasper A. J. Smits

Keyword(s):

Active Control ◽

Behavioral Activation ◽

Psychological Intervention ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Depression Symptom ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Random Effects Models ◽

Subgroup Analyses

Background: Depression is a prevalent and impairing condition. Behavioral Activation (BA) is a parsimonious, cost-effective, and easily disseminated psychological intervention for depression. The present meta-analysis expanded on existing literature supporting the efficacy of BA for depression by examining the effects of BA on additional relevant outcomes for patients with depression, namely the reduction in anxiety symptoms and increase in activation. Methods: Randomized controlled trials of BA for depression compared to active and inactive control were identified via systematic review. Effect sizes using Hedges’s g were calculated for each outcome compared to both active and inactive control using random effects models. Subgroup analyses were used to examine the inclusion of a discussion of values as a moderator of depression symptom outcome in BA. Results: Twenty-eight studies were included. Meta-analyses of symptom change between groups from baseline-to-post intervention indicated that BA outperformed inactive control for depression (g = 0.83), anxiety (g = 0.37), and activation (g = 0.64). Effect sizes did not differ significantly from active control for depression (g = 0.15), anxiety (g = 0.03), activation (g = 0.04), or for subgroup analyses. Study quality was generally low, and evidence of publication bias was present. Conclusions: Results support the efficacy of BA relative to inactive control for reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in addition to increasing activation. BA did not differ from active control on these outcomes. These findings support the use of BA for the treatment of depression, yet call for continued high quality evaluations of BA for depression.

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Updated systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining the relationship between reported racism and health and well-being for children and youth: a protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043722 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. e043722

Author(s):

Naomi Priest ◽

Kate Doery ◽

Mandy Truong ◽

Shuaijun Guo ◽

Ryan Perry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Research Policy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Future Research ◽

Critical Determinant ◽

Health And Well Being

IntroductionRacism is a critical determinant of health and health inequities for children and youth. This protocol aims to update the first systematic review conducted by Priest et al (2013), including a meta-analysis of findings. Based on previous empirical data, it is anticipated that child and youth health will be negatively impacted by racism. Findings from this review will provide updated evidence of effect sizes across outcomes and identify moderators and mediators of relationships between racism and health.Methods and analysisThis systematic review and meta-analysis will include studies that examine associations between experiences of racism and racial discrimination with health outcomes of children and youth aged 0–24 years. Exposure measures include self-reported or proxy reported systemic, interpersonal and intrapersonal racism. Outcome measures include general health and well-being, physical health, mental health, biological markers, healthcare utilisation and health behaviours. A comprehensive search of studies from the earliest time available to October 2020 will be conducted. A random effects meta-analysis will examine the average effect of racism on a range of health outcomes. Study-level moderation will test the difference in effect sizes with regard to various sample and exposure characteristics. This review has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews.Ethics and disseminationThis review will provide evidence for future research within the field and help to support policy and practice development. Results will be widely disseminated to both academic and non-academic audiences through peer-review publications, community summaries and presentations to research, policy, practice and community audiences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020184055.

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Macro-level Criminological Perspectives and School Delinquency: A Meta-analysis

Youth & Society ◽

10.1177/0044118x211022387 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0044118X2110223

Author(s):

Natasha Pusch

Keyword(s):

Social Cohesion ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

School Level ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Macro Level ◽

Future Research ◽

Concentrated Disadvantage ◽

Individual Level ◽

School Differences ◽

Academic Implications

School delinquency in public elementary, middle, and high schools has decreased in recent years, but is still a major issue that has negative mental health and academic implications for adolescents. Although research has focused on both individual-level and school-level explanations of school delinquency, it is not yet clear which macro-level criminological perspectives best explains it. Using 656 effect sizes nested within 75 studies and 30 unique datasets, this study addresses two questions using meta-analytic methods: Which macro-level criminological perspectives explain between-school differences in delinquency? Are effect sizes invariant across samples and research design? Results indicate that only concentrated disadvantage and social cohesion are significantly related to school delinquency. With the exception of concentrated disadvantage, effects are homogenous. This suggests that some school-level explanations are useful and future research should not exclude these factors. Practical implications suggest that improving social cohesion in schools may be more effective at preventing violence than target-hardening efforts.

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Effectiveness of Digital Health Interventions on Unintentional Injury, Violence, and Suicide: Meta-Analysis

Trauma Violence & Abuse ◽

10.1177/1524838020967346 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 152483802096734

Author(s):

Mengtong Chen ◽

Ko Ling Chan

Keyword(s):

Interpersonal Violence ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Digital Health ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Unintentional Injury ◽

Health Interventions ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Future Research ◽

Face To Face

Digital technologies are increasingly used in health-care delivery and are being introduced into work to prevent unintentional injury, violence, and suicide to reduce mortality. To understand the potential of digital health interventions (DHIs) to prevent and reduce these problems, we conduct a meta-analysis and provide an overview of their effectiveness and characteristics related to the effects. We searched electronic databases and reference lists of relevant reviews to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in or before March 2020 evaluating DHIs on injury, violence, or suicide reduction. Based on the 34 RCT studies included in the meta-analysis, the overall random effect size was 0.21, and the effect sizes for reducing suicidal ideation, interpersonal violence, and unintentional injury were 0.17, 0.24, and 0.31, respectively, which can be regarded as comparable to the effect sizes of traditional face-to-face interventions. However, there was considerable heterogeneity between the studies. In conclusion, DHIs have great potential to reduce unintentional injury, violence, and suicide. Future research should explore DHIs’ successful components to facilitate future implementation and wider access.

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Specificity of Future Thinking in Depression: A Meta-Analysis

10.31234/osf.io/y84pu ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Beau Gamble ◽

David Moreau ◽

Lynette J. Tippett ◽

Donna Rose Addis

Keyword(s):

Random Effects ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Emotional Valence ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Future Research ◽

Future Thinking ◽

Moderator Variables ◽

Search Terms ◽

The Relationship

Reduced specificity of autobiographical memory has been well established in depression, but whether this ‘overgenerality’ extends to future thinking has not been the focus of a meta-analysis. Following a preregistered protocol, we searched six electronic databases, Google Scholar, personal libraries, and contacted authors in the field for studies matching search terms related to depression, future thinking, and specificity. We reduced an initial 7,332 results to 46 included studies, with 89 effect sizes and 4,813 total participants. Random effects meta-analytic modelling revealed a small but robust correlation between reduced future specificity and higher levels of depression (r = .13, p < .001). Of the 11 moderator variables examined, the most striking effects related to the emotional valence of future thinking (p < .001) and the sex of participants (p = .025). Namely, depression was linked to reduced specificity for positive (but not negative or neutral) future thinking, and the relationship was stronger in samples with a higher proportion of males. This meta-analysis contributes to our understanding of how prospection is altered in depression and dysphoria and, by revealing areas where current evidence is inconclusive, highlights key avenues for future research.

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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Mental Illness Symptoms in Spain in the COVID-19 Crisis

10.1101/2021.04.11.21255274 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Richard Z. Chen ◽

Stephen X. Zhang ◽

Wen Xu ◽

Allen Yin ◽

Rebecca Kechen Dong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

General Population ◽

Adult Students ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Total Sample ◽

Future Research ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Prevalence Rates ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Insomnia Symptoms

AbstractObjectiveThis paper systematically reviews and assesses the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and insomnia symptoms in the general population, frontline healthcare workers (HCWs), and adult students in Spain during the COVID-19 crisis.Data sourcesArticles in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and medRxiv from March 2020 to February 6, 2021.ResultsThe pooled prevalence of anxiety symptoms in 23 studies comprising a total sample of 85,560 was 20% (95% CI: 15% - 25%, I2 = 99.9%), that of depression symptoms in 23 articles with a total sample comprising of 86,469 individuals was 23% (95% CI: 18% - 28%, I2 = 99.8%), and that of insomnia symptoms in 4 articles with a total sample of 915 were 52% (95% CI: 42-64%, I2 = 88.9%). The overall prevalence of mental illness symptoms in frontline HCWs, general population, and students in Spain are 42%, 19%, and 50%, respectively.DiscussionThe accumulative evidence from the meta-analysis reveals that adults in Spain suffered higher prevalence rates of mental illness symptoms during the COVID-19 crisis with a significantly higher rate relative to other countries such as China. Our synthesis reveals high heterogeneity, varying prevalence rates and a relative lack of studies in frontline and general HCWs in Spain, calling future research and interventions to pay attention to those gaps to help inform evidence-based mental health policymaking and practice in Spain during the continuing COVID-19 crisis. The high prevalence rates call for preventative and prioritization measures of the mental illness symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Mental health in relation to changes in sleep, exercise, alcohol and diet during the COVID-19 pandemic: examination of four UK cohort studies

10.1101/2021.03.26.21254424 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Aase Villadsen ◽

Praveetha Patalay ◽

David Bann

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cohort Studies ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Adverse Health ◽

Anxiety Depression

AbstractBackgroundResponses to the COVID-19 pandemic have included lockdowns and social distancing with considerable disruptions to people’s lives. These changes may have particularly impacted on those with mental health problems, leading to a worsening of inequalities in the behaviours which influence health.MethodsWe used data from four national longitudinal British cohort studies (N=10,666). Respondents reported mental health (psychological distress and anxiety/depression symptoms) and health behaviours (alcohol, diet, physical activity, and sleep) before and during the pandemic. Associations between pre-pandemic mental ill-health and pandemic mental ill-health and health behaviours were examined using logistic regression; pooled effects were estimated using meta-analysis.ResultsWorse mental health was related to adverse health behaviours; effect sizes were largest for sleep, exercise and diet, and weaker for alcohol. The associations between poor mental health and adverse health behaviours were larger during the May lockdown than pre-pandemic. In September, when restrictions had eased, inequalities had largely reverted to pre-pandemic levels. A notable exception was for sleep, where differences by mental health status remained high. Risk differences for adverse sleep for those with the highest level of prior mental ill-health compared to those with the lowest, were 21.2% (95% CI: 16.2, 26.2) before lockdown, 25.5% (20.0, 30.3) in May, and 28.2% (21.2, 35.2) in September.ConclusionsTaken together, our findings suggest that mental health is an increasingly important factor in health behaviour inequality in the COVID era. The promotion of mental health may thus be an important component of improving post-COVID population health.

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Effects of Psychological Interventions on the Prevention of Sports Injuries: A Meta-analysis

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967120928325 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 232596712092832

Author(s):

Shanshan Li ◽

Qianjin Wu ◽

Zichao Chen

Keyword(s):

Sports Injuries ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Psychological Interventions ◽

Random Effects Model ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Subgroup Analyses ◽

Substantial Heterogeneity

Background: Studies have shown that preventive psychological interventions can reduce the occurrence of sports injuries. Purpose: To systematically evaluate the published literature on the effects of psychological interventions on rates of sports injuries and propose a set of psychological interventions to reduce such injuries. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials and intervention control trials involving 1287 participants were included. A random-effects model was used to analyze the data. Pooled results were expressed as effect sizes and 95% CIs. Bias and heterogeneity among the studies were assessed, and sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed. Results: Meta-analysis suggested that preventive psychological interventions effectively prevented the occurrence of sports injuries (effect size = –0.55; P < .001), although the studies showed substantial heterogeneity ( I 2 = 94.2%; P < .001), which could not be attributed to specific variables. Nevertheless, sensitivity analysis suggested that overall results were reliable. No significant risk of publication bias was found. Conclusion: Preventive psychological interventions moderately reduced the risk of sports injuries. Risk screening also significantly reduced the risk of sports injuries. These interventions should focus on cognitive behavior and be administered in 1 to 6 sessions over 7 to 12 weeks for 60 minutes per session.

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Recalibrating the risk of hamstring strain injury (HSI): A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors for index and recurrent hamstring strain injury in sport

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2019-100983 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 (18) ◽

pp. 1081-1088 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Brady Green ◽

Matthew N Bourne ◽

Nicol van Dyk ◽

Tania Pizzari

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Evidence Synthesis ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Older Age ◽

Future Research ◽

Hamstring Strain ◽

Best Evidence Synthesis ◽

History Of

ObjectiveTo systematically review risk factors for hamstring strain injury (HSI).DesignSystematic review update.Data sourcesDatabase searches: (1) inception to 2011 (original), and (2) 2011 to December 2018 (update). Citation tracking, manual reference and ahead of press searches.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesStudies presenting prospective data evaluating factors associated with the risk of index and/or recurrent HSI.MethodSearch result screening and risk of bias assessment. A best evidence synthesis for each factor and meta-analysis, where possible, to determine the association with risk of HSI.ResultsThe 78 studies captured 8,319 total HSIs, including 967 recurrences, in 71,324 athletes. Older age (standardised mean difference=1.6, p=0.002), any history of HSI (risk ratio (RR)=2.7, p<0.001), a recent HSI (RR=4.8, p<0.001), previous anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury (RR=1.7, p=0.002) and previous calf strain injury (RR=1.5, p<0.001) were significant risk factors for HSI. From the best evidence synthesis, factors relating to sports performance and match play, running and hamstring strength were most consistently associated with HSI risk. The risk of recurrent HSI is best evaluated using clinical data and not the MRI characteristics of the index injury.Summary/conclusionOlder age and a history of HSI are the strongest risk factors for HSI. Future research may be directed towards exploring the interaction of risk factors and how these relationships fluctuate over time given the occurrence of index and recurrent HSI in sport is multifactorial.

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Specificity of Future Thinking in Depression: A Meta-Analysis

Perspectives on Psychological Science ◽

10.1177/1745691619851784 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 816-834 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Beau Gamble ◽

David Moreau ◽

Lynette J. Tippett ◽

Donna Rose Addis

Keyword(s):

Random Effects ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Emotional Valence ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Future Research ◽

Future Thinking ◽

Moderator Variables ◽

Search Terms ◽

The Relationship

Reduced specificity of autobiographical memory has been well established in depression, but whether this overgenerality extends to future thinking has not been the focus of a meta-analysis. Following a preregistered protocol, we searched six electronic databases, Google Scholar, and personal libraries and contacted authors in the field for studies matching search terms related to depression, future thinking, and specificity. We reduced an initial 7,332 results to 46 included studies, with 89 effect sizes and 4,813 total participants. Random-effects meta-analytic modeling revealed a small but robust correlation between reduced future specificity and higher levels of depression ( r = −.13, p < .001). Of the 11 moderator variables examined, the most striking effects were related to the emotional valence of future thinking ( p < .001) and the sex of participants ( p = .025). Namely, depression was linked to reduced specificity for positive (but not negative or neutral) future thinking, and the relationship was stronger in samples with a higher proportion of males. This meta-analysis contributes to our understanding of how prospection is altered in depression and dysphoria and, by revealing areas where current evidence is inconclusive, highlights key avenues for future research.

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