Self-administered single-session interventions for mental health in young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Jessica Ball, Richard Meiser-Stedman, Zoe Thompson et al.
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In 30 seconds
This preregistered systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis assessed self-administered single-session interventions (SSIs) for mental health in children and young people. It included 25 randomised controlled trials with 5,628 participants; 19 trials contributed to meta-analyses. SSIs were associated with small reductions in anxiety symptoms (g = -0.24, 95% CI [-0.41, -0.07]) and depressive symptoms (g = -0.11, 95% CI [-0.22, -0.02]). Both analyses showed substantial heterogeneity and wide prediction intervals, so effects may vary across settings and studies.
Key findings
- Across 19 meta-analysed trials, anxiety symptoms showed a small effect: g = -0.24, 95% CI [-0.41, -0.07].
- Depressive symptoms showed a small effect: g = -0.11, 95% CI [-0.22, -0.02].
- Heterogeneity was substantial for anxiety (I 2 = 62.68%) and depression (I 2 = 53.86%); both prediction intervals included no effect.
Why it matters
Self-administered SSIs may offer a brief, accessible option relevant to barriers such as treatment waits and stigma. The pooled findings suggest modest symptom benefits, but substantial heterogeneity and prediction intervals spanning no effect mean outcomes are not consistent across studies. The evidence therefore supports continued evaluation rather than assuming these interventions will work similarly for all young people.
What to keep in mind
The review identified a small number of studies with diverse clinical and statistical characteristics; several trials had high risk of bias, and both meta-analyses showed substantial heterogeneity.