JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

There was a marked decline in child and teenage mental health across the globe during the pandemic, with increasing prevalence of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Research indicates that positive psychological interventions may be beneficial for mental health.

Objective:

The aims of this review were to evaluate positive psychological interventions for child and youth mental health implemented during the Covid19 pandemic, and to assess overall effectiveness for mental health and knowledge.

Methods:

We undertook a review of PubMed/ Medline and Google Scholar for all eligible studies on digital and hybrid in person positive psychological interventions for youth MH during the Covid19 pandemic.

Results:

A total of 42 positive psychological interventions were included in this review. The majority (74%) of the interventions were digital. Overall, most of the interventions assisted with one or more mental health or psychological indicators such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, stress, and resilience. However, findings were mixed when it came to targeting both depression and anxiety together. The interventions that promoted youth mental health most often had a range of diverse positive psychology components and were evidence-based. Only half of the mindfulness studies measured changes in mindfulness practices as a result of the intervention for mental health. Few studies examined either knowledge acquired on mental health self-care, managing mental health problems, knowledge of positive psychological techniques, mindfulness knowledge, or mental health self-efficacy.

Conclusions:

Future studies should not only assess effectiveness for mental health outcomes, but also assess knowledge translation (KT), with valid measures of knowledge and self-efficacy for mental health supportive behaviours, and positive psychological skills acquired (e.g. ability to practice mindfulness).