Effectiveness of peer-led health behaviour interventions on adolescent’s mental health and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Mental health disorders affect 15% of youth aged 10–19 years globally, typically emerging before age 15. While school-based peer-led programs show promise in improving physical health behaviours by leveraging existing social networks, reducing stigma, and demonstrating high implementation f...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01053-8 |
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| author | Jacinta Brinsley Matthew Schmidt Rachel Curtis Catherine EM Simpson Jessica Edwards Emily E. Eglitis Georgia Gosse Michael Broad Bryony Jardine Elizabeth Taddeo Prerna Banati Carol Maher |
| author_facet | Jacinta Brinsley Matthew Schmidt Rachel Curtis Catherine EM Simpson Jessica Edwards Emily E. Eglitis Georgia Gosse Michael Broad Bryony Jardine Elizabeth Taddeo Prerna Banati Carol Maher |
| author_sort | Jacinta Brinsley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Mental health disorders affect 15% of youth aged 10–19 years globally, typically emerging before age 15. While school-based peer-led programs show promise in improving physical health behaviours by leveraging existing social networks, reducing stigma, and demonstrating high implementation feasibility, their effectiveness for mental health outcomes remains unclear. This systematic review examined controlled trials of school-based, peer-led lifestyle interventions (physical activity, diet, or sleep) reporting mental health outcomes in adolescents aged 10–19 years. Six electronic databases were searched up to March 28, 2024. Seven studies met inclusion criteria, encompassing 7,060 adolescents from 151 schools across the UK, USA, Canada, and Norway. Interventions varied in frequency and duration, with six focusing on physical activity and one on diet. Meta-analyses revealed no significant effects for psychological difficulties (MD = 0.60, 95% CI -3.52 to 4.72; p = 0.32, k = 2), self-efficacy for physical activity (SMD = 0.18, 95% CI -3.08 to 3.44; p = 0.61, k = 2), or wellbeing (SMD = 0.0, 95% CI -2.94 to 2.94; p = 1.0, k = 2). These findings, while requiring cautious interpretation, highlight the pressing need for more comprehensive and rigorous research to better understand the impact of peer-led interventions on mental health outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-848541f541ba403ebbf86557c39d7ebf |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-848541f541ba403ebbf86557c39d7ebf2025-08-20T02:31:58ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-01053-8Effectiveness of peer-led health behaviour interventions on adolescent’s mental health and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysisJacinta Brinsley0Matthew Schmidt1Rachel Curtis2Catherine EM Simpson3Jessica Edwards4Emily E. Eglitis5Georgia Gosse6Michael Broad7Bryony Jardine8Elizabeth Taddeo9Prerna Banati10Carol Maher11Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South AustraliaCentre for Social Impact, Flinders UniversityAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South AustraliaDepartment of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health OrganizationAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South AustraliaAbstract Mental health disorders affect 15% of youth aged 10–19 years globally, typically emerging before age 15. While school-based peer-led programs show promise in improving physical health behaviours by leveraging existing social networks, reducing stigma, and demonstrating high implementation feasibility, their effectiveness for mental health outcomes remains unclear. This systematic review examined controlled trials of school-based, peer-led lifestyle interventions (physical activity, diet, or sleep) reporting mental health outcomes in adolescents aged 10–19 years. Six electronic databases were searched up to March 28, 2024. Seven studies met inclusion criteria, encompassing 7,060 adolescents from 151 schools across the UK, USA, Canada, and Norway. Interventions varied in frequency and duration, with six focusing on physical activity and one on diet. Meta-analyses revealed no significant effects for psychological difficulties (MD = 0.60, 95% CI -3.52 to 4.72; p = 0.32, k = 2), self-efficacy for physical activity (SMD = 0.18, 95% CI -3.08 to 3.44; p = 0.61, k = 2), or wellbeing (SMD = 0.0, 95% CI -2.94 to 2.94; p = 1.0, k = 2). These findings, while requiring cautious interpretation, highlight the pressing need for more comprehensive and rigorous research to better understand the impact of peer-led interventions on mental health outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01053-8Peer-led interventionsAdolescentsHealthy lifestyleMental healthWellbeing |
| spellingShingle | Jacinta Brinsley Matthew Schmidt Rachel Curtis Catherine EM Simpson Jessica Edwards Emily E. Eglitis Georgia Gosse Michael Broad Bryony Jardine Elizabeth Taddeo Prerna Banati Carol Maher Effectiveness of peer-led health behaviour interventions on adolescent’s mental health and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis Scientific Reports Peer-led interventions Adolescents Healthy lifestyle Mental health Wellbeing |
| title | Effectiveness of peer-led health behaviour interventions on adolescent’s mental health and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Effectiveness of peer-led health behaviour interventions on adolescent’s mental health and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of peer-led health behaviour interventions on adolescent’s mental health and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of peer-led health behaviour interventions on adolescent’s mental health and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Effectiveness of peer-led health behaviour interventions on adolescent’s mental health and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | effectiveness of peer led health behaviour interventions on adolescent s mental health and wellbeing a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Peer-led interventions Adolescents Healthy lifestyle Mental health Wellbeing |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01053-8 |
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