Effectiveness of preventive interventions on adolescents’ depression and suicidal tendency: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

IntroductionThis study was conducted to review the effectiveness of preventive mental health interventions for adolescents (aged 11–19 years) in reducing depression and suicidal tendencies.MethodsA systematic search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the databases Pub...

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Main Authors: Lubna Ghazal, Naixue Cui, Cao Fenglin, Erika Sivarajan Froelicher, Mulugeta Shegaze Shimbrer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1356816/full
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author Lubna Ghazal
Lubna Ghazal
Naixue Cui
Cao Fenglin
Erika Sivarajan Froelicher
Mulugeta Shegaze Shimbrer
Mulugeta Shegaze Shimbrer
author_facet Lubna Ghazal
Lubna Ghazal
Naixue Cui
Cao Fenglin
Erika Sivarajan Froelicher
Mulugeta Shegaze Shimbrer
Mulugeta Shegaze Shimbrer
author_sort Lubna Ghazal
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis study was conducted to review the effectiveness of preventive mental health interventions for adolescents (aged 11–19 years) in reducing depression and suicidal tendencies.MethodsA systematic search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the databases PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and APA PsycINFO for the period 2011–2024. Studies were included based on strict inclusion/exclusion criteria, selecting those that reported preventive interventions addressing depression and suicidal tendencies among adolescents. The systematic review registration number is CRD42023384321.ResultsOut of 1,210 studies, 13 RCTs were incorporated. The interventions yielded varied outcomes, with approximately half of the RCTs demonstrating reductions in depression and suicidal tendencies, comparable to the control group. Post-intervention, the majority of interventions exhibited mild to moderate effect sizes; however, further research is warranted to assess their long-term efficacy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based psychoeducation interventions served as the primary approach, often implemented in school settings. However, these interventions were primarily delivered by specialists rather than teachers. Parental involvement in treatment emerged as a potential factor that could enhance the effectiveness of preventive interventions.Discussion and conclusionWhile numerous interventions in this review showed effects comparable to control groups, the diversity in methodology, intervention types, and outcome measures poses challenges in drawing definitive conclusions. Therefore, future research should prioritize addressing these methodological discrepancies within their respective contexts.
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spelling doaj-art-ff03442275ee414797a14f0d4eaf26972025-08-20T03:48:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-05-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.13568161356816Effectiveness of preventive interventions on adolescents’ depression and suicidal tendency: a systematic review of randomized controlled trialsLubna Ghazal0Lubna Ghazal1Naixue Cui2Cao Fenglin3Erika Sivarajan Froelicher4Mulugeta Shegaze Shimbrer5Mulugeta Shegaze Shimbrer6School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, ChinaShaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, PakistanSchool of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, ChinaResearch and International Affairs at Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, ChinaSchool of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United StatesSchool of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, ChinaSchool of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaIntroductionThis study was conducted to review the effectiveness of preventive mental health interventions for adolescents (aged 11–19 years) in reducing depression and suicidal tendencies.MethodsA systematic search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the databases PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and APA PsycINFO for the period 2011–2024. Studies were included based on strict inclusion/exclusion criteria, selecting those that reported preventive interventions addressing depression and suicidal tendencies among adolescents. The systematic review registration number is CRD42023384321.ResultsOut of 1,210 studies, 13 RCTs were incorporated. The interventions yielded varied outcomes, with approximately half of the RCTs demonstrating reductions in depression and suicidal tendencies, comparable to the control group. Post-intervention, the majority of interventions exhibited mild to moderate effect sizes; however, further research is warranted to assess their long-term efficacy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based psychoeducation interventions served as the primary approach, often implemented in school settings. However, these interventions were primarily delivered by specialists rather than teachers. Parental involvement in treatment emerged as a potential factor that could enhance the effectiveness of preventive interventions.Discussion and conclusionWhile numerous interventions in this review showed effects comparable to control groups, the diversity in methodology, intervention types, and outcome measures poses challenges in drawing definitive conclusions. Therefore, future research should prioritize addressing these methodological discrepancies within their respective contexts.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1356816/fulladolescentsdepressionsuicidechildrenpreventionpromotion
spellingShingle Lubna Ghazal
Lubna Ghazal
Naixue Cui
Cao Fenglin
Erika Sivarajan Froelicher
Mulugeta Shegaze Shimbrer
Mulugeta Shegaze Shimbrer
Effectiveness of preventive interventions on adolescents’ depression and suicidal tendency: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Frontiers in Psychology
adolescents
depression
suicide
children
prevention
promotion
title Effectiveness of preventive interventions on adolescents’ depression and suicidal tendency: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
title_full Effectiveness of preventive interventions on adolescents’ depression and suicidal tendency: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
title_fullStr Effectiveness of preventive interventions on adolescents’ depression and suicidal tendency: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of preventive interventions on adolescents’ depression and suicidal tendency: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
title_short Effectiveness of preventive interventions on adolescents’ depression and suicidal tendency: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
title_sort effectiveness of preventive interventions on adolescents depression and suicidal tendency a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
topic adolescents
depression
suicide
children
prevention
promotion
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1356816/full
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