title: Effective self-regulation change techniques to promote mental wellbeing among adolescents: a meta-analysis.
abstract: Mental wellbeing is influenced by self-regulation processes. However, little is known on the efficacy of change techniques based on self-regulation to promote mental wellbeing. The aim of this meta-analysis is to identify effective self-regulation techniques (SRTs) in primary and secondary prevention interventions on mental wellbeing in adolescents. Forty interventions were included in the analyses. Techniques were coded into nine categories of SRTs. Meta-analyses were conducted to identify the effectiveness of SRTs, examining three different outcomes: internalising behaviour, externalising behaviour, and self-esteem. Primary interventions had a small-to-medium ([Formula: see text] = 0.16-0.29) on self-esteem and internalising behaviour. Secondary interventions had a medium-to-large short-term effect (average [Formula: see text] = 0.56) on internalising behaviour and self-esteem. In secondary interventions, interventions including asking for social support [Formula: see text] 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.11-1.98) had a great effect on internalising behaviour. Interventions including monitoring and evaluation had a greater effect on self-esteem [Formula: see text] 95% CI = 0.21-0.57). For primary interventions, there was not a single SRT that was associated with a greater intervention effect on internalising behaviour or self-esteem. No effects were found for externalising behaviours. Self-regulation interventions are moderately effective at improving mental wellbeing among adolescents. Secondary interventions promoting 'asking for social support' and promoting 'monitoring and evaluation' were associated with improved outcomes. More research is needed to identify other SRTs or combinations of SRTs that could improve understanding or optimise mental wellbeing interventions.
authors: a Department of Public Health , Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam , Rotterdam , The Netherlands.|b Expertise Group Life Style , Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) , Leiden , The Netherlands.
authors: Lenneke
authors: L
authors: van Genugten
authors: b Expertise Group Life Style , Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) , Leiden , The Netherlands.|d Institute of Psychology, Methodology & Statistics, Leiden University , Leiden , The Netherlands.
authors: Elise
authors: E
authors: Dusseldorp
authors: c Department of Internal Medicine, Section Nephrology & Transplantation , Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam , Rotterdam , The Netherlands.
authors: Emma K
authors: EK
authors: Massey
authors: b Expertise Group Life Style , Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) , Leiden , The Netherlands.
authors: Pepijn
authors: P
authors: van Empelen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D012649:Self Concept; D000068356:Self-Control; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Meta-analysis; adolescents; evaluation; intervention; mental health; promotion