2024/03/18 by Maryam Rafieifar, Alice Schmidt Hanbidge, Sloan Bruan Lorenzini +1 · 1 voice
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Attachment and Relationship Dynamics #Digital Mental Health Interventions #Impact of Technology on Adolescents
paper · doi:10.1177/10497315241236966
openalex publication_date 2024/03/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/14
Purpose: Online group-based interventions are widely adopted, but their efficacy, when compared with similar face-to-face (F2F) psychosocial group interventions, has not been sufficiently examined. Methods: This systematic review included randomly controlled trials (RCTs) that compared an intervention/model delivered in both F2F and online formats. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO. Results: The search yielded 15 RCTs. Effect sizes ranged from small to exceptionally large. Between-condition effect sizes yielded nonsignificant differences in effectiveness except for three studies that reported superior effectiveness in outcomes for F2F interventions. High heterogeneity was found where only two studies integrated rigorous designs, thus limiting opportunity for a meta-analysis evaluation. Conclusions: Most studies showed comparable outcomes in both F2F and online modalities. However, given the heterogeneity of samples and outcomes, it is premature to conclude that online treatment is as effective as F2F for all challenges and populations.