Psychosocial interventions for depression and anxiety for female adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol for the systematic literature review and lived experience synthesis

TL;DR

This study will review psychosocial interventions for depression and anxiety in female adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa to guide policy and future research.

Contribution

This is the first systematic review focusing specifically on psychosocial interventions for female adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Findings

The review will identify effective psychosocial interventions for female adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Findings will inform policies and future research on adolescent mental health in the region.

Abstract

Depression and anxiety are common mental health problems among female adolescents worldwide, with higher prevalence rates in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Existing reviews indicate that psychosocial interventions can reduce depression and anxiety in adolescents in SSA. However, no review has been conducted to examine the effectiveness of these interventions for female adolescents specifically.

The primary aim of this study is to systematically review psychosocial interventions for depression and anxiety among female adolescents in SSA.

A systematic search will be conducted across eight electronic databases—Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, Scopus, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL), Embase and Web of Science—to identify studies that meet the eligibility criteria. The study selection process will follow the PRISMA guidelines, and will be conducted in Covidence. The quality of the selected studies will be assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A meta-analysis and narrative synthesis will be applied to the included studies. To complement the findings of the systematic literature review, the lived experience synthesis will be conducted. We will consult the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) composed of up to 10 young females with lived experience of depression and/or anxiety from SSA to get their perspectives, views, and suggestions on the results and dissemination of the prospective systematic review findings.

Findings from the review will inform government policies addressing female adolescent mental health problems in Sub-Saharan Africa. It will also inform future research by identifying gaps regarding the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for female adolescents.

Given the existing gender differences in adolescent mental health, it is imperative to synthesise evidence on the effectiveness of these interventions specifically for female adolescents.

PROSPERO CRD420251059110