Objective

This meta-analysis examines the effect of online guided self-help interventions for depressive symptoms among college students.

Methods

We searched studies through PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central. Effect estimates were reported as standardized mean differences (SMD) and data were pooled using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate the differential effects of these interventions by sample type, level of contact, use of incentive, length of intervention, and program content.

Results

24 comparisons (n = 3074) deriving from 19 trials were included in the meta-analysis. Intervention participants (n = 1620) indicated significant reductions in depressive symptoms at post-intervention compared to non-active control conditions (n = 1454). The weighted effect size was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.28–0.64), which dropped to 0.36 (95% CI: 0.26–0.45) after an outlier was removed. Subgroup analyses showed that the effects were significant among interventions using both selective and universal samples; among interventions of shorter (≤4 weeks), moderate (4–8 weeks), and greater length (≥8 weeks); among interventions with high, moderate, and low levels of contact; among interventions with and without incentive; and among interventions employing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and third-wave CBT.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis reinforces evidence to support the effectiveness of online guided self-help interventions in reducing depressive symptoms among college students. However, because of the generally variable and limited quality of current evidence, further research applying rigorous methods is needed to confirm and extend the findings of this meta-analysis.

中文翻译：

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大学生抑郁症状在线引导自助干预的荟萃分析综述

客观的

这项荟萃分析研究了在线引导自助干预对大学生抑郁症状的影响。

方法

我们通过 PubMed、Embase、Web of Science、PsycINFO 和 Cochrane Central 检索了研究。效果估计报告为标准化平均差（SMD），并使用随机效应模型汇总数据。进行亚组分析，以调查这些干预措施在样本类型、接触程度、激励措施的使用、干预时长和项目内容方面的差异效应。

结果

 荟萃分析中纳入了来自 19 项试验的24 项比较 ( n = 3074)。与非主动控制条件下 ( n = 1454) 相比，干预参与者 ( n  = 1620) 表示干预后抑郁症状显着减轻 。加权效应大小为 0.46 (95% CI: 0.28–0.64)，去除异常值后降至 0.36 (95% CI: 0.26–0.45)。亚组分析表明，使用选择性样本和通用样本的干预措施效果显着；较短（≤4周）、中等（4-8周）和较长（≥8周）的干预措施；高、中、低接触程度的干预措施；有激励和无激励的干预措施；以及采用认知行为疗法 (CBT) 和第三波 CBT 的干预措施。

结论

这项荟萃分析强化了支持在线引导自助干预措施在减少大学生抑郁症状方面的有效性的证据。然而，由于当前证据普遍存在差异且质量有限，需要应用严格方法进行进一步研究来证实和扩展该荟萃分析的结果。