Table 2.

Quality criteria for process research and approximation of causality (n=25).

Studies		Randomized controlled trial	CGa	Theoretical foundation	n≥40 (Each CG and EGb)	Various mediators	Time sequence	Manipulation	P value (<.05)c	∑ (Yes)
DHIPSY d
	Anderson, 2012 [46]e	Nof	No	Yesg	No	No	No	No	Yes	2
	de Bruin et al [47]	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	5
	Denis et al [49]	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Noh	No	Yes	5
	Ghaderi et al [54]	Yes	Yes	Yesi	Yes	Yes	Noh	No	Yes	6
	Hintz, 2014 [56]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Noh	Yes	Yes	6
	Kauer et al [58]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Noh	No	Yes	5
	LaFreniere, and Newman [59]	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Noh	No	Yes	4
	Levin et al [60]	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	4
	Riley et al [64]	Yesj	Yesj	Yes	Yes	Yes	Noh	No	Yes	6
	Spence et al [65]	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Noh,k	No	Yes	5
	Zanden et al, 2014 [66]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Noh	No	Yes	6
	Wade et al [67]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Noi	No	Noh	No	Yes	4
	Wilksch, O’Shea, and Wade [69]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Noh	No	Yes	5
DHIHPl
	Collins, Carey, and Sliwinski [48]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Noh	No	Yes	5
	Doumas, McKinley, and Book [50]	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	4
	Doumas et al [51]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	5
	Dunn, 2019 [52]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	5
	Geisner, Neighbors, and Larimer [53]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	6
	Gilmore and Bountress [55]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	5
	Jouriles et al [57]	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	5
	Lewis et al [61]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Noh	No	Yes	5
	Murphy, 2010 [62]h	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Noh	No	Yes	6
	Neighbors et al [63]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Noh	No	Yes	6
	Walters, Vader, and Harris [68]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yesm	No	Noh	No	Yes	5
	Young and Neighbors [70]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	5

^aCG: control group.

^bEG: experimental group.

^cOverall significance level P<.05; only data from study 2 taken into account.

^dDHI_PSY: digital health interventions with a psychotherapeutic focus.

^eOnly data from study 2 are taken into account.

^fNo indicates criteria not met.

^gYes indicates criteria met.

^hMore than 2 measurements (including follow-up) reported, but no evaluation of time sequence.

ⁱSubscales have no theoretical foundations.

^jInitial study had a randomized controlled trial design; in secondary analysis, both groups were taken together.

^kDue to missing follow-up data in the waitlist condition, mediation analysis was conducted only with data from baseline and after 12 weeks (at least 3 sessions were completed).

^lDHI_HP: digital health interventions with a focus on health promotion.

^mInformation was given after contacting authors.