Web-Based Interventions for Youth Internalizing Problems: A Systematic Review

Authors

Jazmin Reyes-Portillo, Montclair State UniversityFollow
Laura Mufson, Columbia UniversityFollow
Laurence L. Greenhill, Columbia University
Madelyn S. Gould, Columbia UniversityFollow
Prudence W. Fisher, Columbia UniversityFollow
Naomi Tarlow, Columbia University
Moira A. Rynn, Columbia University

Document Type

Review Article

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Journal / Book Title

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Abstract

Results Of the 14,001 citations initially identified, 25 articles met inclusion criteria for Web-based interventions. These described 9 programs, of which 8 were Internet based and 1 was a mobile application. No Web-based interventions for suicide prevention were identified. Of the randomized controlled trials (n = 14) and open trials (n = 3) identified, 10 reported significant postintervention reductions in symptoms of depression and/or anxiety or improvements in diagnostic ratings, with small to large effect sizes. Many of these studies also reported significant improvements at follow-up. The methodological quality of the studies varied. Many programs were limited by their small sample sizes and use of waitlist or no-treatment control groups.Conclusion There is limited evidence for the effectiveness of Web-based interventions for youth depression and anxiety. Additional research and program development are needed to fill the current gaps in the literature.Objective To review published reports on Web-based treatment and prevention programs for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention in children, adolescents, and emerging adults.Method A systematic search of the PsycINFO, PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science databases was conducted in December 2013. Programs were classified according to evidence-base level (Well-Established, Probably Efficacious, Possibly Efficacious, Experimental, and Of Questionable Efficacy).

DOI

10.1016/j.jaac.2014.09.005

MSU Digital Commons Citation

Reyes-Portillo, Jazmin; Mufson, Laura; Greenhill, Laurence L.; Gould, Madelyn S.; Fisher, Prudence W.; Tarlow, Naomi; and Rynn, Moira A., "Web-Based Interventions for Youth Internalizing Problems: A Systematic Review" (2014). Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 581.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/psychology-facpubs/581

Published Citation

Reyes-Portillo, J. A., Mufson, L., Greenhill, L. L., Gould, M. S., Fisher, P. W., Tarlow, N., & Rynn, M. A. (2014). Web-based interventions for youth internalizing problems: a systematic review. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(12), 1254–1270.e5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2014.09.005