MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH / EVIDENCE
PAGE 3
MENTAL HEALTH / EVIDENCE MODULE 02
Change and digital support
These studies examine how mental-health patterns shift over time and how digital technology is
being studied as a support mechanism.
03
PANDEMIC COURSE
EVIDENCE RECORD
CITATION
ANNOTATION
Cénat, J. M., Moshirian Farahi, S. M.,
Dalexis, R. D., Darius, W. P.,
Bekarkhanechi, F. M., Poisson, H.,
Broussard, C., Ukwu, G., Auguste, E.,
Nguyen, D. D., Sehabi, G., Furyk, S. E.,
Gedeon, A. P., Onesi, O., El Aouame, A.
M., Khodabocus, S. N., Shah, M. S., &
Labelle, P. R. (2022). The global
evolution of mental health problems
during the COVID-19 pandemic: A
systematic review and meta-analysis of
longitudinal studies. Journal of Affective
Disorders, 315, 70-95. https://doi.org/10
.1016/j.jad.2022.07.011
Annotation. Cénat and colleagues examine how
mental-health problems changed during the COVID-19
pandemic using longitudinal studies rather than relying only
on single time-point surveys. Their meta-analysis included
64 peer-reviewed articles and tracked outcomes such as
anxiety, depression, PTSD, psychological distress, loneliness,
and related problems. The authors found that anxiety and
depression symptoms decreased from baseline to later
follow-up, although several other outcomes did not show
significant change, and mental-health problems remained
substantial throughout the period studied. This source is
useful because it demonstrates the value of repeated
measurement when studying population mental health
during a major social disruption. It also provides geographic
and temporal comparisons that help researchers avoid
treating the pandemic as a single uniform experience.
04
DIGITAL SUPPORT
EVIDENCE RECORD
CITATION
ANNOTATION
Chen, T., Ou, J., Li, G., & Luo, H. (2024).
Promoting mental health in children
and adolescents through digital
technology: A systematic review and
meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology,
15, 1356554. https://doi.org/10.3389/fp
syg.2024.1356554
Annotation. Chen and colleagues review research on the use
of digital technology to promote mental health among
children and adolescents. The study combines systematic
review methods with meta-analysis to examine digital
approaches designed to address mental-health concerns in
younger populations. Its importance lies in connecting
mental health with a rapidly expanding form of prevention
and support while also considering differences in
intervention design and target population. Because the
evidence comes from multiple studies, the article is useful
for identifying patterns rather than relying on the results of
one digital program. This source supports research on
technology-assisted mental-health promotion, especially
where questions involve reach, accessibility, and the
conditions under which digital approaches may support
psychological well-being.
