School-Based Mental Health Interventions Targeting Depression or Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis of Rigorous Randomized Controlled Trials for Youth and Adolescents (Poster 16)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Fourteen
  In Poster Session: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis SIG Poster Session

Abstract

In the post-pandemic era, it is imperative to provide evidence-based mental health interventions targeting anxiety or depression to protect vulnerable adolescents. This paper presents a meta-analysis using more stringent inclusion criteria and additional moderators than previous reviews. Overall, school-based mental health interventions are effective (ES = 0.24, p=.002) at reducing depression and anxiety. Moderator analysis shows that anxiety-focused interventions are more effective than depression-focused programs, cognitive behavioral therapy is more effective than other types of programs, clinicians are more effective than teachers, and programs focusing on secondary and high school youth are more effective than those focusing on elementary children. These findings provide updated evidence from rigorous primary studies and have important implications for policymakers and practitioners.

Authors

• Qiyang Zhang, Johns Hopkins University
  Presenting Author

• Jun Wang, The Ohio State University
  Presenting Author

• Amanda Neitzel, Johns Hopkins University
  Presenting Author