Predictors and moderators of outcome of psychotherapeutic interventions for mental disorders in adolescents and young adults: protocol for systematic reviews

Luisjoaquin Garcia-Lopez,Nigel Camilleri,Bogdan Tudor Tulbure,Ioana R Podina,Stig Poulsen,Tamara Prevendar,Giuseppe Augusto Chiarenza,Vera Gergov,Randi Ulberg,Sandra Torres,Eleni Vousoura,Andrea Saliba,Branka Milic,Silvana Markovska-Simoska,Martin Debbané,Henriette Löffler-Stastka

doi:10.1186/s13643-021-01788-1

Abstract

BackgroundAdolescence and young adulthood is a risk period for the emergence of mental disorders. There is strong evidence that psychotherapeutic interventions are effective for most mental disorders. However, very little is known about which of the different psychotherapeutic treatment modalities are effective for whom. This large systematic review aims to address this critical gap within the literature on non-specific predictors and moderators of the outcomes of psychotherapeutic interventions among adolescents and young adults with mental disorders.MethodsThe protocol is being reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) Statement. PubMed and PsycINFO databases will be searched for randomized controlled and quasi-experimental/naturalistic clinical trials. Risk of bias of all included studies will be assessed by the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The quality of predictor and moderator variables will be also assessed. A narrative synthesis will be conducted for all included studies.DiscussionThis systematic review will strengthen the evidence base on effective mental health interventions for young people, being the first to explore predictors and moderators of outcome of psychotherapeutic interventions for a wide range of mental disorders in young people.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42020166756.

Highlights

Adolescence and young adulthood is a risk period for the emergence of mental disorders
Young people (YP) aged 12 to 30 years are faced with numerous challenges and developmental demands that span across all aspects of their life [2, 3]
Whilst most YP adjust to these new challenges, others struggle and exhibit greater vulnerability for mental disorders

Summary

Introduction

Adolescence and young adulthood is a risk period for the emergence of mental disorders. There is strong evidence that psychotherapeutic interventions are effective for most mental disorders. Very little is known about which of the different psychotherapeutic treatment modalities are effective for whom This large sys‐ tematic review aims to address this critical gap within the literature on non-specific predictors and moderators of the outcomes of psychotherapeutic interventions among adolescents and young adults with mental disorders. Vousoura et al Syst Rev (2021) 10:239 of all mental disorders will manifest before the age of 14, and three quarters by the age of 24 [4, 5], making adolescence and young adulthood a critical period for developing mental health disorders.

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