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Effects of befriending on depressive symptoms and distress: systematic review and meta-analysis

Forfatter(e)
Mead, N. Lester, H. Chew-Graham, C. Gask, L. Bower, P.
År
2010
DOI
10.1192/bjp.bp.109.064089
Tidsskrift
British Journal of Psychiatry
Sider
96-101
Kategori(er)
Depresjon og nedstemthet (inkl. både vansker og lidelse)
Tiltakstype(r)
Abstract

BACKGROUND: High rates of emotional distress and depressive symptoms in the community can reflect difficult life events and social circumstances. There is a need for appropriate, low-cost, non-medical interventions for many individuals. Befriending is an emotional support intervention commonly offered by the voluntary sector.

AIMS: To examine the effectiveness of befriending in the treatment of emotional distress and depressive symptoms:

METHOD: Systematic review of randomised trials of interventions focused on providing emotional support to individuals in the community:

RESULTS: Compared with usual care or no treatment, befriending had a modest but significant effect on depressive symptoms in the short term (standardised mean difference SMD = -0.27, 95% CI -0.48 to -0.06, nine studies) and long term (SMD = -0.18, 95% CI -0.32 to -0.05, five studies).

CONCLUSIONS: Befriending has a modest effect on depressive symptoms and emotional distress in varied patient groups. Further exploration of active ingredients, appropriate target populations and optimal methods of delivery is required.