The evidence-base for positive psychology interventions: a mega-analysis of meta-analyses

ABSTRACT

This study provides a quantitative synthesis of meta-analytic evidence for the effectiveness of very broadly defined positive psychological interventions (PPIs), i.e. interventions that enhance well-being through pathways consistent with positive psychology theory. The definition covers a wide range of PPIs including single and multi-element PPI programs as well as mindfulness, mind-body, and physical exercise-based interventions. Five databases were searched. One hundred and ninety eight meta-analyses involving 4,065 primary studies and 501,335 participants were selected for review. Using the AMSTAR-2 criteria, the selected meta-analyses were found to be of moderate or high quality. At post-intervention, PPIs had a significantly small to medium effect on well-being, QoL, strengths, depression, anxiety, and stress. Gains were partially maintained at 7.5-month follow-up. Mind-body PPIs such as yoga were particularly effective. Individuals who engaged in longer, face-to-face programs benefited most. This mega-analysis shows that PPIs have an extensive evidence base supporting their effectiveness.

KEYWORDS:

• Positive psychology interventions
• positive psychology interventions meta-analysis
• positive psychology interventions systematic review
• positive psychotherapy
• quality of life
• well-being
• strengths
• depression
• anxiety
• stress

Acknowledgments

This paper was supported by grants from the Health Research Board and UCD.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2023.2168564

Data availability statement

The data set and data extraction codebook that support the findings of this study are available on OSF at https://osf.io/j7mct/.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Health Research Board University College Dublin