Effectiveness of Psychosocial Interventions in Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being. Systematic and Critical Review

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a sensitive developmental period marked by increased vulnerability to mental health problems, particularly anxiety, depression, and stress-related difficulties. Psychosocial interventions are widely implemented across school, community, and clinical settings to address these concerns, yet the strength and consistency of evidence regarding their effectiveness remain heterogeneous.
Objective: This systematic and critical review aims to evaluate and synthesize existing evidence on the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in improving mental health and well-being outcomes among adolescents.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and PLOS databases for studies published between 2010 and 2025. Studies involving adolescents aged 13–17 years and evaluating psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based programs, family-based interventions, peer support, and mind–body approaches were included. Randomized controlled trials and well-designed quasi-experimental studies reporting quantitative mental health outcomes were considered. Study selection followed PRISMA guidelines, and methodological quality was assessed using established risk-of-bias tools. Quantitative findings were synthesized narratively, supported by descriptive comparisons of outcomes across studies.
Results: Evidence from the included studies indicates that psychosocial interventions are generally associated with reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms among adolescents, with more consistent effects observed for depression. Mindfulness-based and cognitive-behavioral interventions demonstrated the most robust improvements across multiple outcomes, while effects on perceived stress were variable. Substantial heterogeneity was noted across intervention types, settings, outcome measures, and follow-up durations, limiting direct comparability across studies.
Conclusion: Psychosocial interventions represent an effective and acceptable approach to improving key mental health outcomes among adolescents, particularly depressive symptoms. However, variability in intervention design and methodological quality underscores the need for standardized outcome measures, longer follow-up periods, and contextually responsive implementation strategies. Future research should prioritize rigorous study designs and clarity in intervention reporting to strengthen the adolescent mental health evidence base.