title: Meta-analysis of the effects of peer-administered psychosocial interventions on symptoms of depression.
abstract: Many community mental health centers have implemented peer treatment models that employ recovered former clients as cost-efficient adjunct providers. The effectiveness of these and other peer-administered interventions (PAIs) for treating depression symptoms has not been well-established. The current study is a meta-analysis of PAIs' effects on depression symptoms. Twenty-three eligible studies were identified. Study characteristics were coded by multiple raters, random-effects models were used to compare mean effect sizes, and mixed-effects models were used to test for moderation. PAIs produced significant pre-post reductions in depression symptoms (d = .5043 [95 % CI .3675-.6412]). In direct comparisons, PAIs performed as well as non-peer-administered interventions (.0848 [-.1455-.3151]), and significantly better than no-treatment conditions (.2011 [.0104-.3918]). PAIs that involved a professional in a secondary treatment role were significantly less effective than those that were purely peer-administered, and educational/skills-based PAIs produced better outcomes than those that were mainly supportive. Follow-up data, when available, indicated that PAIs' benefits were maintained. PAIs reduce depression symptoms and warrant further study. The clinical significance of PAIs' benefits, and whether they are better suited as stand-alone or adjunct treatments, remain to be established. Implications for the roles of mental health professionals are discussed.
authors: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington, 1107 NE 45th St., Suite 120, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA, amanda.eb.bryan@gmail.com.
authors: Amanda E B
authors: AE
authors: Bryan
authors: Hal
authors: H
authors: Arkowitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D016896:Treatment Outcome