Lack of evidence on mental health and well-being impacts of individual-level interventions for vulnerable adolescents: systematic mapping review

G. Vojt, K. Skivington*, H. Sweeting, M. Campbell, C. Fenton, H. Thomson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
105 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objectives: To review empirical evaluations of individual-level interventions intended to improve mental health or well-being for vulnerable adolescents. Study design: This is a systematic mapping review. Methods: Thirteen databases covering academic and gray literature were searched for published reviews and randomised controlled trials, and gray literature (2005-2016) and the results quality-assessed to prioritise best available evidence. We aimed to identify well-conducted systematic reviews and trials that evaluated individual-level interventions, for mental health/well-being outcomes, where the population was adolescents aged 10-24 years in any of 12 vulnerable groups at high risk of poor health outcomes (e.g. homeless, offenders, 'looked after', carers). Results: Thirty systematic reviews and 16 additional trials were identified. There was insufficient evidence to identify promising individual-level interventions that improve the mental health/well-being of any of the vulnerable groups. Conclusions: Despite Western policy to promote health and well-being among vulnerable young people, the dearth of evidence suggests a lack of interest in evaluating interventions targeting these groups in respect of their mental health/well-being outcomes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)29-32
Number of pages4
JournalPublic Health
Volume161
Early online date30 May 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2018

Keywords

  • vulnerable populations/psychology
  • health promotion
  • humans
  • adolescent
  • program evaluation
  • randomized controlled trials as topic
  • Health inequalities
  • Mental health
  • Systematic review
  • Mapping review
  • Vulnerable adolescents
  • At-risk adolescents

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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