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Identifying key targets for interventions to improve psychological wellbeing: replicable results from four UK cohorts.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Soneson, E 
Wagner, AP 
Khandaker, GM 
Goodyer, I 

Abstract

BACKGROUND: An increasing importance is being placed on mental health and wellbeing at individual and population levels. While there are several interventions that have been proposed to improve wellbeing, more evidence is needed to understand which aspects of wellbeing are most influential. This study aimed to identify key items that signal improvement of mental health and wellbeing. METHODS: Using network analysis, we identified the most central items in the graph network estimated from the well-established Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Results were compared across four major UK cohorts comprising a total of 47,578 individuals: the Neuroscience in Psychiatry Network, the Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey, the Northern Ireland Health Survey, and the National Child Development Study. RESULTS: Regardless of gender, the three items most central in the network were related to positive self-perception and mood: 'I have been feeling good about myself'; 'I have been feeling confident'; and 'I have been feeling cheerful'. Results were consistent across all four cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Positive self-perception and positive mood are central to psychological wellbeing. Psychotherapeutic and public mental health interventions might best promote psychological wellbeing by prioritising the improvement of self-esteem, self-confidence and cheerfulness. However, empirical testing of interventions using these key targets is needed.

Description

Keywords

Intervention targets, mental health, network analysis, psychological wellbeing, Adolescent, Cohort Studies, Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Personal Satisfaction, Psychometrics, Quality of Life, Sex Factors, United Kingdom, Young Adult

Journal Title

Psychol Med

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0033-2917
1469-8978

Volume Title

49

Publisher

Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Sponsorship
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (via Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) (unknown)
Wellcome Trust (095844/Z/11/Z)
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) (BRC 2012-2017)
Wellcome Trust (201486/Z/16/Z)