Effectiveness of online social support interventions for psychological distress: A three-level meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Résumé

With the growing prevalence of psychological distress, online social support interventions have attracted attention due to their accessibility and potential. Unlike traditional professional psychological interventions, online social support interventions are structured or semi-structured supportive services usually provided through peer support and community interaction via digital platforms. Despite being seen as promising, their effectiveness remains uncertain. This three-level meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessed the effectiveness of online social support interventions in reducing psychological distress, based on 101 effect sizes from 31 studies involving 8173 participants. Results showed a small, significant reduction in psychological distress post-treatment (g = -0.167, 95 % CI: [-0.270, -0.063], p = 0.002), with no significant heterogeneity detected. In contrast, follow-up results indicated a non-significant main effect (g = -0.343, 95 % CI: [-0.697, 0.012], p = 0.058), with significant heterogeneity. These findings suggest that while online social support interventions may have some immediate benefits in reducing psychological distress, their long-term effectiveness is less clear and may vary across different studies. This highlights the need for further research to explore the factors that contribute to this heterogeneity and to develop more effective, tailored interventions associated with sustained improvements in psychological well-being.