Health Psychology Review

Screenshot of the first page of the article, including authors and abstract. Title: What factors are related to engagement with digital mentalhealth interventions (DMHIs)? A meta-analysis of 117 trials

Lack of engagement is a major issue in digital mental health interventions. This meta-analysis of 117(!) trial shows: personal characteristics (e.g. gender, mental health) and intervention characteristics (e.g. guided vs self-guided) can make a difference!

Read the full text here: doi.org/p49k

Screenshot of the first page of the article. Title: Assessment of stress and its relationship with health behaviour in daily life: a systematic review Also includes authors and abstract.

New open access review of 100 studies (18k+ participants): Stress in daily life is mostly self-reported, rarely physiological. Findings are mixed: stress links to both healthier & unhealthier behaviours. Standardised measures & better study quality are needed.

Full text here: doi.org/p49j

Screenshot of the first page of the article, including the title: Back to basics in the field of loneliness: progressing conceptualisation and definition of the term – an umbrella concept analysis The authors and abstract are also on the first page.

New open access review tackles a core challenge in loneliness research: lack of a clear definition.

👉 Proposes a novel definition of loneliness as unmet interpersonal needs
👉 Introduces “unloneliness” as its opposite.

Full text here: doi.org/p49g

Screenshot of the first page of the article, including title, authors, affiliations and abstract. The title is: The impact of psychosocial interventions on women with gynaecological cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

‼️ New meta-analysis published: Psychosocial interventions (e.g., CBT, psychoeducation) reduce distress & improve wellbeing + quality of life in women with gynaecological cancers. Time to move towards holistic approaches, including physical, social, psychological and sexual health care!

Screenshot of the first page of the article, including title "Maintenance of lifestyle changes following lifestyle interventions in breast cancer survivors: a systematic literature review", authors and abstract.

New systematic review: Few lifestyle interventions for breast cancer survivors show sustained effects at follow-up. This review found 30 RCTs on diet, physical activity, sleep and body composition - few were effective, especially at follow-up.

Full review here: doi.org/10.1080/1743...

First page of the article, including the title "Addressing fidelity within complex health behaviour change interventions: a scoping review of fidelity frameworks and models", the authors and abstract.

Do we have a view on fidelity in behaviour change interventions? This scoping review by found 20 models and frameworks, all covering delivery, but few agreed on other key constructs. Clearer, more comprehensive use is needed.

Full review here: doi.org/10.1080/1743...

📖 New systematic review on neuropsychological assessment in non-central nervous system in cancer patients! 178 identified studies used 151(!) different tests to assess cognition - many not following guidelines. Improved tools specifically for cancer patients are needed!
More here: doi.org/pzks

New meta-analysis of 35 RCTs found: Nudge-based interventions (e.g., reminders, auto-refills) significantly improve self-monitoring & health outcomes in cardiometabolic patients—incl. lower HbA1c & blood pressure - but effects depend on intervention characteristics.

Full paper here: doi.org/pzb8

This paper proposes the Justice-Identification Model (JIM): Police contact affects mental health via procedural justice and social identity. Fair, inclusive policing can boost wellbeing—unfair treatment does harm. 7 hypotheses, 3 pathways, real-world implications.

Full paper here: doi.org/pzb7

🪧 New open(!) systematic review: Trauma-focused therapies (esp. EMDR) show strong effects for PTSD following serious medical events (e.g., heart attack, cancer). Out of the 11 RCTs, most found significant benefits, but sample sizes were small.

Full paper here: doi.org/pzb6

🧠💊 New systematic review of 82 studies shows: Health professionals show signs of decision fatigue and end up making less effortful decisions as shifts go on.
📉 45% of quantitative studies found significant fatigue effects in diagnoses, prescribing, test ordering & more!
More here: doi.org/pzb3

The effectiveness of behavioral modification interventions for managing weight gain in pregnant women with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis First page of the article Title: Insights into the complexities of symptom management for hemodialysis patients: a systematic review of qualitative studies Abstract: Patients undergoing hemodialysis experience a broad spectrum of symptoms that impact their physical, psychological, and social well-being. Traditional qualitative studies often focus on isolated aspects of patient experiences and offer limited insights into the interconnected nature of symptom management. This systematic review and meta-ethnography aims to synthesise qualitative studies and develop a comprehensive model that elucidates interrelations between patient experiences and symptom management practices in hemodialysis. Our analysis integrated findings from 30 qualitative studies using a meta-ethnographic approach. The results revealed critical psychological and social dynamics influencing symptom management. The model highlights how supportive factors, such as family involvement and effective healthcare interactions, enhance coping mechanisms, improving emotional resilience and treatment adherence. Conversely, it identifies significant barriers, including chronic self-regulatory burnout and systemic inefficiencies, that hinder symptom management and exacerbate psychological distress. By integrating diverse qualitative findings, this study proposes a shift towards patient-centred, culturally sensitive care strategies that prioritise psychological support. This shift aims to transform hemodialysis care by addressing the complex interplay of medical, psychological, and social factors. The developed framework not only facilitates deeper understanding of the psychological impacts of symptom management and offers a structured approach for future research and interventions in this domain[Q1].

📢 New systematic review 📢

How do hemodialysis patients manage their symptoms? This systematic review integrated findings from 30 qualitative studies in one framework, highlighting complex experiences of patients in managing their symptoms.

🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1080/1743...

First page of the article. Title: Promoting physical activity during retirement age with psychological components: multilevel meta-analysis Abstract: Background: Physical activity is essential in preventing and treating age-related chronic diseases and mortality. Retirement is a key period to promote health behaviours, as individuals restructure their routines. Thus, we aimed to identify effective components and behaviour change techniques (BCTs) in interventions promoting physical activity in retirement-age individuals. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis. Included studies were randomised controlled trials that (p)targeted retirement-age adults (50–70 years), (i)applied BCTs, (c)had any comparator, and (o)promoted physical activity. Screening, full-text review, and data extraction were conducted independently by at least two reviewers. A multilevel random effects model with three effect sizes was fitted, and meta-regressions tested several moderators. Results: 67 studies (N = 12,147) were included. High risk of bias related to larger effects, so these studies were excluded from the main analyses. While individual effects were often non-significant, the overall pooled effect was small but statistically significant. Predictors varied across effect sizes and included action planning, motivational interviewing, and prompts/cues. Email and website delivery were associated with smaller effect sizes. Conclusions: The effectiveness of lifestyle interventions is heterogeneous and presented small effects; implementing action planning, motivational interviewing, and prompts could improve the effectiveness. However, many BCTs that are not frequently used remain unexplored.

📢 New multilevel meta-analysis 📢

How can we support people to be active after retirement? This meta-analysis looked at psychological components in 67 studies, and found small but significant effects. Some strategies were associated with better effectiveness.

🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1080/1743...

Screenshot of the first page of the article. Title: Digital Psychological Interventions for Adults in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Abstract: This study evaluates the effect of digital psychological interventions on anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms in adults affected by the pandemic. A systematic search across five digital databases, from 1 January 2020 to 6 March 2024, identified 36 studies encompassing 8,662 participants. Compared with all control conditions, random-effects meta-analyses indicated that digital psychological interventions significantly reduced anxiety (g = −0.374; 95% CI, −0.529 to −0.218), depression (g = −0.568; 95% CI, −0.776 to −0.360), and stress (g = −0.452; 95% CI, −0.608 to −0.295). Smaller effect sizes were observed when compared with active controls than with inactive controls. Notable heterogeneity across three outcomes was observed. Publication bias was noted in depression symptoms. Several moderators were identified compared with inactive controls, including participant type for anxiety (psubgroup = 0.005), and region for depression symptoms (psubgroup = 0.000). Larger sample sizes (b = 0.0004; p = 0.028) related to stronger effects on depression symptoms. Publication year positively correlated with effects on stress (b = 0.1573; p = 0.032). This study supports the efficacy of digital psychological interventions in alleviating anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms for adults during the pandemic, offering insights for developing targeted mental health strategies in future public health crises.

📢 New meta-analysis 📢

How can we best support people struggling with anxiety, depression and stress during the pandemic? This review and meta-analysis looked at digital interventions, and compared results of 20 available studies.

🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1080/1743...

Screenshot of first page of the article. Title: Theoretical mapping of the barriers and enablers to having bloodpressure checked among adults without a hypertensiondiagnosis: a systematic review and theoretical synthesis usingbehaviour change frameworks Abstract: Identifying influences on engagement with blood pressure (BP) checkscan assist with intervention design for hypertension detection. Thissystematic review searched four databases (Embase, Emcare, MEDLINEand Web of Science) for papers published from 2015 to 2023(PROSPERO ID: CRD42023398002). Eligible studies reported influenceson BP checks in community or primary care settings. Data were codedand mapped using the Action, Actor, Context, Target, Time frameworkand Behaviour Change Wheel. Analysis of 18 studies generated eightthemes: (1) ‘Difficult-to-use devices with no accessible information onhow to use them’ (2) ‘Lack of awareness about hypertension and BPchecks’, (3) ‘Stigma and disconnect with identity’ (4) ‘Beliefs about thevalue of BP checks’, (5) ‘Fear and uncertainty’, (6) ‘Lack of appropriateand comfortable local services’ (7) ‘Financial cost of engaging with BPcheck services’ and (8) ‘Social contacts or health professionalrecommended a check’. Knowledge, identity, emotions, social contactsand environmental factors are key behavioural influences on adults’engagement with BP checks. Potential intervention strategies includeeducation on hypertension, addressing misconceptions about BPchecks, increasing access to BP check services and harnessing theinfluence of social norms, social connections and trusted sources toimprove engagement

Interested in behaviour change frameworks?

This review and theoretical synthesis looked at barriers and enablers to having blood pressure checked, identifying knowledge, identity, emotions, social contacts and environemntal factors as key influences.

🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1080/1743...

Screenshot of the article A screenshot of the title of the article:Psychological, social and behavioural factors associated with disease/illness activity and adjustment to Lupus: a systematic review and meta-analysis And the abstract: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) bears a heavy toll on individuals’ psychological wellbeing and quality of life. Despite vital to the development of effective interventions, systematic and quantifiable knowledge on modifiable factors associated with adult SLE adjustment and disease/illness activity is currently lacking. This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to bridge this gap, by examining the effects of modifiable psychological, social, and behavioural factors associated with SLE adjustment and disease/illness activity. Eight databases were searched for quantitative studies, using Boolean combinations of keywords on SLE adjustment, disease/illness activity and psychological, social, or behavioural correlates/predictors. Ninety studies were included in the narrative review, and fifty-four in the meta-analysis. The psychological factors more strongly associated with SLE adjustment and disease/illness activity were illness– and treatment-related illness- and treatment-related beliefs, self-perceptions, resilience-related factors, and perceived stress. Avoiding sedentary behaviour showed a consistent, albeit small association with better outcomes. Social factors were largely under investigated, but better perceived social support showed moderate associations with better outcomes. The meta-analysis f indings, which should be considered with caution due to high risk of bias, uncovered several potentially fruitful avenues for future research and highlight potentially relevant targets for psychosocial and behavioural interventions to improve quality of life of individuals with SLE.

📢 New systematic review and meta-analysis 📢
Which psychological, social and behavioural factors are associated with disease activity and adjustment to Lupus?

🔗 Read more:

Profile screenshot showing 1017 followers

Over 1000 followers 🥳 hello #AcademicSky #HealthPsych #BehSci 👋 We hope to see many of you at @ehps2025.bsky.social #EHPS2025 in Groningen later this year.

📢 New meta-analysis 📢

How can we best control gestational weight gain during pregnancy? In this Bayesian network meta-analysis of 24 trials, blended in-person and mHealth model demonstrated the highest likelihood of being highly effective.

🔗 Read more: buff.ly/dk68LTd

🚀 New research alert! 🚀

Do goals always need to be specific to be effective? This critical conceptual review explores open goals, providing the first clear conceptual definition and critically reviewing the evidence on their role in health behavior change.

🔗 Read more: buff.ly/DvAJsUl

As editor of Health Psychology Review, @geertcrombez.bsky.social will provide an editor's perspective on publishing next week at an @ehpscreaters.bsky.social webinar. Don't forget to sign up!

📢 New meta-analysis! 📢

How can we improve self-management for patients on dialysis? This meta-analysis of 45 RCTs evaluates the efficacy of interventions and identifies key strategies—highlighting the role of psychotherapeutic techniques in optimizing health outcomes.

🔗 Read more: buff.ly/MR2gGkx

📢 New paper alert! 📢

How do placebo and nocebo effects shape treatment outcomes? This scoping review synthesizes evidence from 306 systematic reviews & meta-analyses, uncovering key determinants—individual, clinical, psychological, and contextual factors.

🔗 Read more here: buff.ly/T331eXb

A screenshot of the first page of the article in health psychology review. The article is titled "Family wealth and adolescent physical health" and is by Emily J Jones and colleagues. The abstract reads: Inequalities in the distribution of wealth among families with children mayhave deleterious health consequences, especially for adolescent children.Marked by significant psychosocial and physiological changes,adolescence is a period when socioeconomic differences in chronicdisease risk factors are observed. Unfortunately, research onsocioeconomic inequalities in adolescent health has overlooked wealth,focusing instead on differences in health based on household incomeand parental educational attainment. Expanding our knowledge ofwealth’s role in shaping adolescents’ current and long-term health is ofcritical public health concern, especially as wealth is more unequallydistributed than income. This review discusses what is known aboutwealth-related inequalities in adolescent physical health and proposesfour psychosocial mechanisms that may explain how wealth shapesadolescent physical health including (1) serving as a stress-buffer; (2)enabling parents to invest in opportunities to support adolescent healthydevelopment; (3) increasing families’ access to social and cultural capitalresources that may promote salutary health behaviours while mitigatingexperiences of social-class discrimination; (4) and supporting adolescents’future expectations. We end with a discussion of existing questions andsuggestions for future research to add to our understanding of wealth-related inequalities in adolescent physical health, which could be used toinform health equity interventions.

Conceptual model illustrating the level of empirical support for associations between family wealth, four candidatemediators, and adolescent physical health. Arrow thickness reflects the level of empirical support for associations betweenfamily wealth and adolescent physical health and health behaviours, family wealth and each of the four mediators, andbetween the four mediators and adolescent physical health and health behaviours. Note that for indirect effects, most researchhas focused on the individual paths (e.g., wealth → parental investment; manifestations of social class → adolescent health beha-viours) rather than the full mediation pathway (wealth → parental investment → adolescent health behaviours).

Interested in adolescent health? Have a look at this review looking into four pathways in which family wealth influences the health of adolescents. Find the whole review here: doi.org/10.1080/1743...

Could you add this account, please?

An image containing the logo of Health Psychology Review, Volume 18, Issue 4, and the titles of all 14 included articles.

The fourth issue of 2024 has been finalized, containing no less than 14(!) high-quality reviews and meta-analyses!

Interested in being up to date on the latest evidence in health psychology? Then you probably want to check out the full issue here: https://buff.ly/3ZARNY7

A screenshot of the first page of the article "Yoga as an intervention for stress: a meta-analysis"

Caterpillar plot of estimated effect sizes, with a 95% CI of 0.29, 0,66

In this meta-analysis, Rhoads and colleagues explored yoga as an intervention for stress, finding large amounts of heterogeneity in research.

Interested in where this heterogeneity comes from, including potential moderators? Find the full paper here: https://buff.ly/3OF1Kxt

A screenshot of the first page of the article "The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology and diagnosis in burn survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis"

In this meta-analysis of 32 studies, Boersma-van Dam and colleagues explored the post-traumatic stress disorder in burn survivors, finding a pooled prevalence of 1 in 5 burn survivors!
Want more info, including subgroup analysis? Find the full paper here: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....