Digital interventions for anxiety and depressive symptoms in adolescence: systematic review

Kuberka, Paula, Johnston, Milly Hannah, Shafran, Roz, Pike, Katharine and Yardley, Lucy (2025) Digital interventions for anxiety and depressive symptoms in adolescence: systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 77 (3), 388-404. (doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2025.05.021).

Abstract

The rising prevalence of anxiety and depression among adolescents highlights the need for accessible intervention solutions. The objectives of this systematic review were to (1) identify existing digital interventions for adolescent depression and anxiety, (2) assess the promise of those interventions, and (3) identify characteristics of promising interventions. Six databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Embase, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar) were used to conduct searches between September and October 2023. The searches were re-run in June 2024. Twenty studies met the criteria for inclusion, leading to the identification of 17 distinct interventions for analysis. The promise of the interventions was assessed through their effectiveness, the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance framework dimensions, and risk of bias. The evaluation of interventions' promise deemed three studies as "Quite Promising," six as "Slightly Promising," four as "Inconclusive Promise," and seven as "Not Promising." All promising interventions somewhat met the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance dimensions. Variability was observed in Template for Intervention Description and Replication characteristics, including rationale, intervention provider, length and frequency of intervention, and retention. Factors that potentially contribute to the success or limitation of digital mental health interventions among adolescents are discussed. The review underscores the need to enhance the methodological rigor and to evaluate and report the real-world impact of interventions to ensure they benefit a broader demographic of young people.

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Contributors

Author: Lucy Yardley

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