Table 1.
Study characteristics
| First author | Date | Aim | Design | Setting, Country | Sample (N) | Age years M(SD), range | Gender n(%) | Ethnicity n(%) | Depression caseness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anttila | 2014 | Describe adolescents’ concerns and hopes at referral to adolescent psychiatric outpatient treatment | Cross-sectional qualitative RCT sub-study | Outpatient adolescent mental health services, Finland | Adolescents involved in Depis.net trial for major depression (70) | -(-), 15–17 | Female 54(77), Male 16(23) | -(-) | RCT participants referred by adolescent psychiatric outpatient services |
| Aubuchon-Endsley | 2014 | Examine psychometric properties of Milwaukee Psychotherapy Expectancies Questionnaire | Quantitative cross-sectional within and between-groups scale validation | University psychology clinic, US | Students accessing university counselling center (55) | 27.0(-) [Mode = 21], 18–58, | Female 29(52) | -(-) | BDI-II mean score = 22.21 |
| Binder | 2013 | Explore adolescents’ experiences of taking part in psychotherapy | Cross-sectional qualitative | Outpatient adolescent mental health services, Norway | Youth accessing two child and adolescent outpatient clinics (14) | -(-), 16–18 | Female 8(66), Male 6(34) | Norwegian 12(86) | Clinical sample with problems including depression |
| Bury | 2007 | Develop in-depth understanding of youth experiences of individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy, including referral, engagement, therapist, therapeutic relationship, most and least helpful factors | Cross-sectional qualitative | Community mental health clinic, UK | Youth attending at least 6 months of psychotherapy, ceasing at least 3 months prior (6) | -(-), 17–21 | Female 4(67), Male 2(33) | -(-) | Clinical sample with problems including depression |
| Conklin | 2009 | Assess whether two-session goal intervention improves goal progress, depression, state hope, and state anxiety | Quantitative RCT | University, US | Undergraduate psychology students (103) | Intervention 20.3(5.1), Control 20.4(6.4) | Female 57(55) | White 81(79), Asian-American 9(9), other 6(6), Hispanic/Latino 4(4), African-American 3(3) | BDI-II mean score intervention = 16.5, control = 18.8 |
| Davidson | 2012 | Examine adolescents’ thoughts on therapy; specifically, therapeutic relationship and its role in personal disclosure-related comfort | Cross-sectional qualitative | Child and youth mental health center, Canada | Youth engaged in psychotherapy in child and youth mental health office (15) | 16.0(1.96), 13–19 | Female 10 (67), Male 5 (33) | -(-) | Clinical sample with diagnoses including depression |
| Dowling | 2015 | Explore progress and depth of counselling processes used in online chat and associations with session attendance and outcomes | Quantitative uncontrolled pre-post within-group | Online counselling service, Australia | Youth engaged in online counselling with youth mental health service (49) |
-(-), 16–25 Median = 17 |
Female -(86) | -(-) | Clinical sample with depression (65%) |
| Fowler | 2018 | Assess effectiveness of early intervention in psychosis (EIP) services augmented with Social Recovery Therapy for patients with social disability in the context of first episode psychosis | Quantitative RCT | NHS community EIP services, UK | Youth with non-affective psychosis experiencing social disability after 12–30 months engagement in EIP services (154) | 24.4(-), 20–29 | Male 116(75), Female 38(25) | White 113(73), Asian/White and Asian 18(12), Black/White and Black African or Caribbean 11(7), Mixed and other 13(8) | BDI-II mean score intervention = 18, control = 19 |
| Gabrielsen | 2019 | Assess effectiveness of wilderness therapy program in improving self-efficacy, depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, physical health, distress and self-coherence | Mixed methodsa, uncontrolled pre, post and follow-up within-group | Public mental health care, Norway | Youth referred to mental health care system (32) | 16.5(0.6), 16–18 | Female 21(65), Male 11(35) | -(-) | HADS mean score = 8.5 |
| Gee | 2016 | Assess participants’ experiences of Social Recovery Therapy and treatment as usual | Cross-sectional qualitative RCT sub study | NHS secondary mental health care and non-NHS youth services, UK | Youth engaged in PRODIGY trial for social disability and severe and complex mental health problems (17) | -(-), 16–25 | Female 9(53), Male 8(47) | -(-) | Research diagnosis of depression or dysthymia (53%) |
| Gillig | 2019 | Assess effectiveness of camp program in improving wellbeing for youth who identify as LGBTQ | Mixed methods, uncontrolled pre-post within-group | Summer camp, US | Young campers who identify as LGBTQ (56) | 15.4(1.8), 12–20 | Female 17(31), Gender non-conforming 15(27), Male 12(21), Transgender male 8(14), Transgender female 2(3), Unsure/Questioning 2(3) | White –(77), Latino –(16), Other –(7) | CES-D-4 mean score = 2.7 |
| Green | 2007 | Examine efficacy of cognitive behavioral solution-focused life coaching program in enhancing cognitive hardiness and hopefulness | Quantitative RCT | High school, Australia | Female high school students (56) | 16.1(-), 16–17 | Female 56(100) | -(-) | DASS-21 depression mean score = 12.1 |
| Hambridge | 2017 | Explore experiences of and impacts of care farm engagement | Mixed methods, non-randomized controlled pre, post, and follow-up within and between-groups | Care farm alternative to mainstream education, UK | Youth with behavioral, social, emotional and school functioning problems, 98% with neurobehavioral or learning disability (50) | Intervention 14.4(0.9), Control 13.1(0.4) | Male 36(72), Female 14(28) | Not stated | DASS-21 depression mean score intervention group = 11.12, control = 6.24 |
| Isa | 2018 | Assess effects of psychological intervention that includes psychoeducation and basic elements of cognitive behavioral therapy | Quantitative uncontrolled pre-post within-group | Child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinic, Nigeria | Youth with depression attending psychiatric clinic, taking antidepressant medication for at least 3 months (18) | 15.5(1.5), 13–18 | Female 9(50), Male 9(50) | -(-) | BDI mean score = 24.44 |
| Leavey | 2005 | Explore and describe phenomenon of the process of becoming, living with, and recovering from mental health problems as experienced by transition-aged youth | Cross-sectional qualitative | Community psychosocial rehabilitation center, Canada | Youth attending psychosocial rehabilitation center (13) | -(-), 17–23 | Male 7(54), Female 6(46) | -(-) | Clinical sample with diagnoses including depression |
| Leibovich | 2020 | Examine what allows psychotherapeutic interpretation to facilitate growth and promote flourishing | Mixed methods case study | Pilot case of psychotherapy RCT, Israel | Individual pilot psychotherapy client who self-referred to study (1) | -(-), 21 | Female 1(100) | - | Met Major Depressive Disorder diagnostic criteria, BDI score = 22 |
| Lin | 2013 | Assess effectiveness of forgiveness intervention | Quantitative RCT | University counselling centers, Taiwan | University students with high depression and anxiety, low forgiveness and insecure maternal attachment (27) | -(-), 18–23 | -(-) | -(-) | CES-D mean score intervention group = 23.00, control group = 25.25 |
| Lin | 2014 | Assess effectiveness of grief-processing-based psychological group intervention in improving trauma, distress, and hopefulness | Quantitative non-randomized controlled pre-post within and between-groups | Government-funded orphanages, China | Youth whose parents had died from HIV/AIDS (124) | 13.6(-), 9–17 | Male 76(61), Female 48(39) | Chinese Han 124(100) | CES-DC mean score = 39.00 |
| Metsӓranta | 2019 | Explore use and effectiveness of online e-diary intervention for adolescent depression | Mixed methods longitudinal RCT sub study | Adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinics, Finland | Participants of the Depis.net trial for depression (89) | 16(-), 15–18 | Female 66(75), Male 22(25) | -(-) | BDI score above 16 (58%) |
| Midgley | 2016 | Explore hopes and expectations for therapy among adolescents with depression | Qualitative RCT sub study | Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, UK | Participants of the IMPACT trial for depression (77) | 15.9(1.77), 11–17 | Female 55(77), Male 22(23) | -(-) | K-SADS diagnosis of moderate to severe depression |
| Pingitore | 2017 | Explore adolescents’ perceived benefits, meaningfulness and experiences of participating in process-oriented group psychotherapy and recommendations for future providers | Cross-sectional qualitative | Children’s hospital outpatient group psychotherapy services, US | Adolescents in active therapy and medical treatment, engaged in psychotherapy group for 3 months (10) | 15.8(-), 13–18 | Female 10(100) | Caucasian 9(90), Hispanic 1(10) | Clinical sample with diagnoses including depression, all with prior inpatient admission/s |
| Rayner | 2018 | Develop thematic model of youth recovery | Cross-sectional qualitative | Community youth mental health support services, Australia | Youth accessing community youth mental health support services (15) | 20(-), 18–23 | Females 10(67), Male 5(33) | -(-) | Clinical sample with problems including depression |
| Ritschel | 2011 | Evaluate effectiveness of adapted behavioral activation manual for reducing depression among adolescents | Quantitative uncontrolled pre-post within-group pilot | Outpatient adolescent mood clinic, US | Youth accessing outpatient adolescent mood clinic or self-referring to study (6) | 15(1), 14–17 | Female 3 (50), Male 3 (50) | Caucasian 3(50) Biracial1(16.6), African-American 2(33.3) | K-SADS diagnosis of depression and CDRS-R score of at least 45 |
| Ritschel | 2016 | Further evaluate feasibility and potential efficacy of adapted behavioral activation manual for improving depression and psychological wellbeing | Quantitative uncontrolled pre-post within-group pilot | Outpatient treatment clinic, US | Youth accessing outpatient adolescent mood clinic or self-referring to study (28) | 15.4(1.16), 14–17 | Female 19(68), Male 9(32) | African American 11(39.3), Caucasian 10(35.7), Biracial 5(17.9), Asian 1(3.6), Hispanic 1(3.6) | K-SADS diagnosis of depression and CDRS-R score of at least 45 |
| Sælid | 2017 | Test effectiveness of brief rational emotive behavior intervention against an attentional placebo and a control group in improving depression, anxiety, self-esteem, hopefulness and dysfunctional thinking | Quantitative RCT | High school, Norway | High school students with mild depression (62) | -(-), 16–19 | -(-) | -(-) | HADS mean score = 12.47 |
| Shepherd | 2018 | Explore Māori adolescents’ opinions about an online intervention for depression | Cross-sectional qualitative RCT sub-study | High school, New Zealand | Participants of the SPARX trial for depression (6) | 14.7(-), 14–16 | Female 5(84), Male 1(16) | Māori/taitamariki 6(100) | PHQ-9 score of 10–19 |
| Smith | 2011 | Assess effectiveness of integrated yoga and meditation program in improving psychological, spiritual and physical wellbeing compared to a standard yoga program and inactive control | Quantitative non-randomized controlled pre-post within and between-groups | University, US | Students with at least mild depression, anxiety or stress (69) | 21.2(4.2) | Female –(51), Male –(49) | White –(57), Other –(43) | DASS-21 depression mean score intervention group = 12.79, yoga-as-exercise group = 10.71, control = 5.87 |
| Teodorczuk | 2019 | Assess effectiveness of positive psychology intervention in improving depression, mental health and hopefulness | Quantitative non-randomized controlled pre-post within and between-groups | Child and youth care center, South Africa | Adolescents in a residential youth care facility (29) | 16.3(1.4), 14–18 | Female 17(59), Male 12(41) | African 18(62) | RCADS-SV mean score = 58 |
| Walsh | 1997 | Explore reactions of inpatient adolescents experiencing suicidality to an art future image intervention | Longitudinal qualitative interventional | Adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit, US | Inpatients of a unit for adolescents experiencing depression and suicidality (11) | 15(-), 13–18 | Female 7(84), Male 4(16) | -(-) | Clinical sample with problems including depression (100%) |
| Watsford | 2013 | Explore expectations of 12–25-year-olds regarding role as a mental health service “client”, therapist’s role, and expectations of therapy processes and outcomes | Cross-sectional qualitative | Youth mental health service, Australia | Youth presenting to youth mental health services for the first time (20) | 17.3(12.6), 12–24 | Female 11(55), Male 9 (45) | -(-) | Clinical sample with problems including depression |
| Weitkamp | 2017 | Investigate how adolescents with depression referred for psychodynamic psychotherapy experience their difficulties and their therapy expectations and hopes | Cross-sectional qualitative | Private and community outpatient psychotherapy clinics, Germany | Youth with depression entering psychotherapy with a maximum of two sessions attended (6) | -(-), 15–19 | Female 5(83) | -(-) | K-SADS diagnosis of mild to moderate depression |
aOnly quantitative findings were extracted as the qualitative data was provided by young people’s parents. BDI-II Beck Depression Inventory II (Beck et al., 1996), using a clinical threshold of 13 (community sample) or 19 (psychiatric sample) (von Glischinski et al., 2019) for the depression caseness inclusion criterion in the present review, HADS Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Zigmond & Snaith, 1983), using a clinical threshold of 8 (Bjelland et al., 2002), CES-D Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977), using a clinical threshold of 16 (McDowell, 2006), CES-D-4 4-item CES-D (Melchior et al., 1993), using a clinical threshold of 3 (Zauszniewski & Graham, 2009), DASS-21 depression Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales 21-item (depression subscale) (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), using a clinical threshold of raw score 5 (Gomez, 2016; Henry & Crawford, 2005; Reilly et al., 2018), BDI Beck Depression Inventory(Beck et al., 1961), using clinical thresholds for BDI-II, CES-DC Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children (Fendrich et al., 1990), using a clinical threshold of 16 (Faulstich et al., 2017), K-SADS Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children (Ambrosini, 2000), CDRS-R Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised, using a clinical threshold of 40 (Poznanski et al., 1984), PHQ-9 Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item, using a clinical threshold of 10 (Kroenke et al., 2001), RCADS-SV Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-Short Version (Ebesutani et al., 2012), using a clinical threshold of 21 (Lydon-Staley et al., 2019)