Internet interventions for mental health in university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Harrer M, Adam S, Baumeister H, Cuijpers P, Karyotaki E, Auerbach RP, Kessler RC, Bruffaerts R, Berking M, Ebert DD (2018)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2018

Journal

International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research Wiley-Blackwell

Pages Range: e1759

DOI: 10.1002/mpr.1759

Abstract

Mental health disorders are highly prevalent among university students. Universities could be an optimal setting to provide evidence-based care through the Internet. As part of the World Mental Health International College Student initiative, this systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes data on the efficacy of Internet-based interventions for university students' mental health.\nA systematic literature search of bibliographical databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO) for randomized trials examining psychological interventions for the mental health (depression, anxiety, stress, sleep problems, and eating disorder symptoms), well-being, and functioning of university students was performed through April 30, 2018.\nForty-eight studies were included. Twenty-three studies (48%) were rated to have low risk of bias. Small intervention effects were found on depression (g = 0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI; 0.08, 0.27]), anxiety (g = 0.27, 95% CI [0.13, 0.40]), and stress (g = 0.20, 95% CI [0.02, 0.38]). Moderate effects were found on eating disorder symptoms (g = 0.52, 95% CI [0.22-0.83]) and role functioning (g = 0.41, 95% CI [0.26, 0.56]). Effects on well-being were non-significant (g = 0.15, 95% CI [-0.20, 0.50]). Heterogeneity was moderate to substantial in many analyses. After adjusting for publication bias, effects on anxiety were not significant anymore.\nInternet interventions for university students' mental health can have significant small-to-moderate effects on a range of conditions. However, more research is needed to determine student subsets for which Internet-based interventions are most effective and to explore ways to increase treatment effectiveness.\nOBJECTIVES\nMETHOD\nRESULTS\nDISCUSSION

Authors with CRIS profile

Mathias Harrer Lehrstuhl für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie Sophia Adam Lehrstuhl für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie Matthias Berking Lehrstuhl für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie

Additional Organisation(s)

Lehrstuhl für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie

Involved external institutions

Columbia University US United States (USA) (US) Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) / University Amsterdam NL Netherlands (NL) Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) / Catholic University of Leuven BE Belgium (BE) Harvard University US United States (USA) (US) Universität Ulm DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Harrer, M., Adam, S., Baumeister, H., Cuijpers, P., Karyotaki, E., Auerbach, R.P.,... Ebert, D.D. (2018). Internet interventions for mental health in university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, e1759. https://doi.org/10.1002/mpr.1759

MLA:

Harrer, Mathias, et al. "Internet interventions for mental health in university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis." International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research (2018): e1759.

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