Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: Advantages and Challenges
February 12, 2026

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However, ABMT was not effective in improving depression and anxiety . We identified 24 apps that used context engagement methods like video playback, motivational words, guided self-assessments, physical activity tracking, daily health tips, and gamified challenges. Thirty-five studies (32 apps) report significant improvements in depressive symptoms 43–66, anxiety 43–45,50–52,54,55,58,60–62,67–75, and suicidal behavior 52,76,77. We identified 35 unique mobile apps across 38 studies. Table 1 summarizes the objectives, study design, participants, and survey instruments.

evidence-based mental health research

The studies are characterized by low response rates and are focused on EBPTs for a limited range of problems (i.e., substance use problems, disorders of childhood). Guided by the barriers-to-treatment conceptual model (Kazdin, et al., 1997) and drawing from motivational interviewing, Nock and Kazdin (2005) addressed the high drop out from interventions for children by developing a brief adjunctive intervention called the Participation Enhancement Intervention (PEI). Also, the data collected from progress monitoring helps to adjust and advance treatment, helps patients to choose a service that has good outcomes and the data also helps those who fund the service (Layard & Clark, 2014; Radhakrishnan et al., 2013). Second, Basco et al. (2000) reported on the use of validated diagnostic screening measures within community mental health settings. Public awareness of the available effective treatment options is also lacking and is well-illustrated in a report which highlights that one of the leading reasons individuals with a mental or substance use disorder don’t seek treatment is a fear of needing to https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2156857X.2022.2072379 take medication (Institute of Medicine, 2006).

evidence-based mental health research

Application Process

evidence-based mental health research

By the turn of the twentieth century, progressive reformers, along with psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, advocated reforming asylums and launched the mental hygiene movement, dedicated to cultivating healthy lifestyles across the population, preventing mental illness, and providing mental health care and treatment for those in need (95). Over the course of the nineteenth century, care for mentally ill individuals, then known as “lunatics” or “distracted persons,” increasingly became a public concern as the social disruption brought about by rapid population growth, urbanization, and a changing economic system increased the visibility of and public attention to mental health issues (65). Identifying these deleterious interventions is important because reforming them can produce benefits for population mental health. These interventions are relevant because they could be implemented with the explicit intent of improving population mental health. The interventions must also be implemented with the intent of addressing mental health outcomes or their determinants.

evidence-based mental health research

Practice

evidence-based mental health research

All studies using those search terms were bracketed into time periods to determine how many articles populated by our search terms were published within each period. Because multiple factors have been contributing to these trends, building over decades, simply returning to pre‐pandemic levels of connection or reducing time on social media may only bring limited benefits. This is consistent with other trends, such as those documenting a decline in social capital and participation in religion88, 89, and changes in family structure (e.g., decline of extended families, rise of single‐occupancy households)90 – many of which are seen globally. Although the COVID‐19 pandemic exacerbated these trends, social isolation was increasing, and engagement with family, friends and others (co‐workers, neighbors, acquaintances) was declining for years prior to the pandemic.

Pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for night eating syndrome in adults

  • However, the global impact of these interventions is still limited by barriers to dissemination, training, cultural adaptation, and implementation—particularly in low-resource or underserved settings.This Research Topic seeks to gather cutting-edge research, systematic syntheses, and practice-based insights that address how evidence-based psychological interventions can be improved, scaled, and sustained.
  • These can include getting more exercise, mindfulness practices, and eating a well-balanced diet.
  • The studies focused on people with SMI, admitted to intensive mental health services participated in the OC, as well as on a control condition group.
  • Beliefs such as ‘I should be able to cope with this alone’ and beliefs that the available treatment options are ineffective may also reduce motivation (Stinson, Tang, & Harvey, 2006).

SAMHSA estimated that in 2007 fewer than half of the individuals who need mental health care are receiving the care they need (SAMSHA, 2007). Similarly, a meta-analysis of 27 studies including over 150,000 people from 16 European countries estimated that about 27% of people were diagnosed with at least one mental disorder within the past 12 months (Wittchen & Jacobi, 2005). According to the NCS-R, and reported by Kessler et al. (2005), 30% of people surveyed over a 12-month period, and 50% of the population over the lifespan, met diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder. The prevalence of mental disorders is high and appears to be growing, yet the majority of individuals who meet diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder are not able to access an adequate treatment. “Our review also highlights a gap in the efficacy of mHealth apps for managing more complex mental health conditions such as suicidal behaviors, where evidence remains scant and less definitive.

The “Social in All Policy” approach138 recognizes the health and social implications across sectors and “systematically takes into account the health implications of decisions, seeks synergies, and avoids harmful health impacts in order to improve population health and health equity”150. A scoping review of interventions for older adults, including evidence from 30 countries, found that the majority of interventions only measured loneliness, and only three societal‐level interventions were found149. Both targeted and broad approaches are necessary, starting with broad measures to address general issues, while using targeted interventions to address specific needs within the population. When social connection needs are not met, the mental and physical health consequences are broadly found across age and other demographics. The effectiveness of digital interventions may vary depending on the specific population and the type of technology used.

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