Self-directed digital interventions for the improvement of emotion regulation-effectiveness for mental health and functioning in adolescents: protocol for a systematic review

Abigail Thomson; Erin G Lawrence; Bonamy R Oliver; Ben Wright; Georgina M Hosang

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081556

Self-directed digital interventions for the improvement of emotion regulation-effectiveness for mental health and functioning in adolescents: protocol for a systematic review

BMJ Open. 2024 Apr 23;14(4):e081556. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081556.

Authors

Abigail Thomson¹, Erin G Lawrence², Bonamy R Oliver³, Ben Wright^{4

5}, Georgina M Hosang²

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK a.c.thomson@qmul.ac.uk.
² Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
³ UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London, UK.
⁴ East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
⁵ City University of London, London, UK.

Abstract

Introduction: Research suggests that problems with emotion regulation, that is, how a person manages and responds to an emotional experience, are related to a range of psychological disorders (eg, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression). Interventions targeting emotion regulation have been shown to improve mental health in adults, but evidence on related interventions for adolescents is still emerging. Increasingly, self-directed digital interventions (eg, mobile apps) are being developed to target emotion regulation in this population, but questions remain about their effectiveness. This systematic review aimed to synthesise evidence on current self-directed digital interventions available to adolescents (aged 11-18 years) and their effectiveness in addressing emotion regulation, psychopathology and functioning (eg, academic achievement).

Methods and analysis: Several electronic databases will be searched (eg, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ACM Digital Library) to identify all studies published any time after January 2010 examining self-directed digital interventions for adolescents, which include an emotion regulation component. This search will be updated periodically to identify any new relevant research from the selected databases. Data on the study characteristics (eg, author(s)) and methodology, participant characteristics (eg, age) and the digital interventions used to address emotion (dys-)regulation (eg, name, focus) will be extracted. A narrative synthesis of all studies will be presented. If feasible, the effectiveness data will be synthesised using appropriate statistical techniques. The methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed with the Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool.

Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval is not required for this study. Findings will be disseminated widely via peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences related to this field.

Registration details: PROSPERO CRD42022385547.

Keywords: Adolescents; MENTAL HEALTH; eHealth.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Emotional Regulation*
Humans
Mental Disorders / therapy
Mental Health
Mobile Applications
Research Design
Systematic Reviews as Topic*