Table 5 Study details for qualitative studies (listed in alphabetical order)
First author | Year | Sample size | Recruitment settings & site | Conditions included | Age range (Mean) | Female % | Data & analysis method | Key themes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Studies on BA (n = 3) | ||||||||
Arnott + | 2020 | 8 | School, UK | Depression | 12–15 (14.06) | 50 | Interviews, TA | Structure and content acceptable; goal-oriented activities liked the best; homework assignments were helpful; positive impact on mood and functioning; non-specialist therapist guidance appreciated; staggering sessions/ top-up BA session at the end |
Bru | 2013 | 10 | Clinic, Norway | Depression | 17–20 (18.40) | 80 | Interviews, TA | Scheduling pleasurable activities increased awareness of what makes one happy; psychoeducation was easy to understand, but a few found the emphasis on individual responsibility unacceptable; homework assignments were easy to understand, but some thought it was time-consuming and effortful; suggestion to use simpler language in session and assignments was emphasized |
Iloabachie + | 2011 | 83 | Clinical and community, USA | Depression | 14–21 (17.40) | 56 | Survey and Interviews, TA based on GT | Participants liked BA; positive gains were identified such as better understanding of mental health, sense of person control, better communication with family, decreased acting out behaviors and scheduling of healthy behaviors |
Studies on coping (n = 34) | ||||||||
Al-Khattab | 2016 | 22 | Community, USA | Depression | 18–21 (20.10) | 45 | Interviews, CA | Behavioral (e.g., engaging in spiritual activities), and social strategies (e.g., support from others) were helpful |
Aselton | 2012 | 13 | University, UK | Depression | 19–22 (NA) | 62 | Online interviews, TA | Behavioral (e.g., engaging in hobbies, sports, journaling), and social strategies were helpful |
Bluhm | 2014 | 37 | University, Australia | Depression & Anxiety | 18–24 (20.60) | 73 | Interviews, TA | Social strategies and self-management were helpful |
Boyd + | 2011 | 201 | School, Australia | Depression | 11–18 (NA) | 63 | Open-ended survey, CA | Self- acceptance was helpful |
Breland-Noble | 2010 | 28 | Community, USA | Depression | 11–17 (NA) | NA | FGD and Interviews, GT | Social strategies, self-management were helpful |
Breland-Noble | 2015 | 28 | Community, USA | Depression | 11–17 (NA) | NA | FGD and Interviews, TA | Behavioral strategies (e.g., prayers) and social strategies (e.g., social support from religious leaders) were helpful |
Chernomas + | 2013 | 251 | University, Canada | Depression & Anxiety | 21–35 (22.40*) | NA | Open ended survey, TA | Behavioral strategies (e.g., running, yoga, time management, spiritual activities), social strategies (e.g., social interaction), and cognitive strategies were helpful |
Dundon** | 2006 | 107 | NA | Depression | 13–20 (NA) | 84* | FGD and Interviews, Multi-method | Behavioral strategies, cognitive strategies, social strategies and self-management strategies (e.g., acceptance, taking self-initiative to improve functioning) were helpful |
Farmer | 2002 | 5 | University, USA | Depression | 13–17 (NA) | 60 | Interview, PA | Behavioral strategies (e.g., engaging in religious activities), social strategies, and self-care were helpful |
Fornos | 2005 | 65 | School, USA | Depression | 13–18 (15.60) | NA | FGD, TA | Social strategies were helpful |
Grob | 2002 | 38 | Community, USA | Depression | 18–29 (NA) | 50 | Interviews, TA based on GT | Behavioral strategies, cognitive strategies (e.g., positive thinking, challenging negative thoughts), social strategies (e.g., connecting those with mental health issues), self-acceptance (e.g., growth-promoting attitude) were helpful |
Hannor-Walker | 2008 | 10 | Clinic, USA | Depression | 14–17 (15.60*) | 60 | Interviews, CA | Social strategies (e.g., support from others) were helpful |
Kuwabara | 2007 | 15 | Community, USA | Depression | 18–25 (23.0) | 67 | Interviews, TA based on GT | Social strategies (e.g., support from others) were helpful |
Martínez-Hernáez+ | 2016 | 105 | Community, Spain | Depression | 17–21 (NA) | 69 | Open ended survey and FGD, TA | Social strategies (support from others) were helpful |
Martínez-Hernáez | 2014 | 105 | Community, Spain | Depression & Anxiety | 17–21 (NA) | 69 | FGD and Interviews, TA based on GT | Behavioural strategies (scheduling time and activities) and social strategies were helpful |
McCarthy | 2008 | 9 | University, USA | Depression | 20–23 (20.20) | 78 | Interviews, TA | Social strategies (support from others) were helpful |
McCann | 2012 | 26 | Clinic, Australia | Depression | 16–22 (18.0) | NA | Interviews, IPA | Social strategies (support from others) were helpful |
Morey-Nase | 2019 | 11 | Clinic, Australia | Depression | 15–25 (21.4) | 64 | Interviews, TA | Behavioral strategies, self-management and acceptance and social strategies were helpful |
Moses+ | 2009 | 54 | Clinic, USA | Depression & Anxiety | 12–18 (14.60) | 37 | Interviews, CA | Self-management and acceptance were helpful |
Ofonedu | 2013 | 10 | Clinic, USA | Depression | 13–17 (NA) | 60 | Interviews, PA | Self-management strategies and social strategies were helpful |
Oliver | 2015 | 7 | Clinic, UK | Depression | –16–18 (16.85) | 71 | Interviews, IPA | Self-management strategies, social strategies (seeking support, social activities), behavioral strategies (pleasurable activities, important activities) were helpful |
Özkul & Günüşen | 2020 | 21 | School, Turkey | Depression | 14–15 (14.33) | 67 | Interviews, CA | Behavioral strategies (e.g., engagement in hobbies, scheduling activities), social strategies, self-management strategies were helpful |
Recto & Champion | 2018 | 20 | School, USA | Depression | 15–19 (17.15) | 100 | Interviews, CA | Self- management strategies was helpful |
Ross | 2003 | 48 | Community, USA | Depression | 13–22 (NA) | NA | FGD, TA | Social strategies were helpful |
Ross | 2015 | 6 | Clinic, Canada | Anxiety | 18–22 (NA) | 100 | Interviews, TA and case-study | Behavioral strategies (e.g., journaling, goal setting, engaging in enjoyable activities), social strategies, cognitive strategies (e.g., positive self-talk), self-management strategies were helpful |
Sabiston | 2007 | 31 | Community, Canada | Anxiety | 13–18 (15.58) | 100 | Interviews, TA | Behavioral strategies (e.g., planning healthy eating), cognitive strategies (e.g., distraction, reappraisal), self-management strategies were helpful |
Sam | 2019 | 9 | University, USA | Depression | Above 18 | NA | Interviews, Frame analysis based on GT | Social strategies were helpful |
Simonds | 2014 | 9 | Clinic, UK | Depression & Anxiety | 14–16 (NA) | 78 | Interviews, TA | Behavioral strategies (e.g., goal setting) and self-management strategies (e.g., awareness of and agency over self) were helpful |
Weitkamp | 2016 | 6 | Clinic, Germany | Depression | 15–19 (NA) | 83 | Interviews, IPA | Social strategies (e.g., indulging in social activities) were helpful |
Wisdom | 2004 | 15 | School, USA | Depression | 14–19 (16.30) | 53.3 | FGD, TA | Self-management strategies (e.g., positive labeling for their condition) |
Wisdom | 2007 | 15 | Clinic, USA | Depression | 14–19 (16.30) | 53.3 | Interviews, TA | Social strategies (e.g., connected to those with similar experiences) were helpful |
Wisdom | 2006 | 14 | Clinic, USA | Depression | 14–19 (16.3) | 50 | FGD and Interviews, CA | Behavioral strategies (e.g., seeking pleasurable activities), cognitive strategies, social strategies, self-management and acceptance were helpful |
Woodgate | 2006 | 14 | Clinic, Canada | Depression | 13.5–18 (16.0) | 78.5 | FGD and Interviews, HP | Cognitive strategies (e.g., positive thinking), social strategies (e.g., connecting with a network of those with mental health issues), self-management and acceptance were helpful |
Woodgate | 2020 | 58 | Clinic, Canada | Anxiety | 10–22 (14.50) | NA | Ecomap and Interviews, HP | Self-management strategies were helpful |