02.11.01. Investigación y comunicación científica

The effectiveness of group-based psychological interventions for emotional distress in non-clinical adult populations: a systematic review

2026-08-03T10:48:14Z

The effectiveness of group-based psychological interventions for emotional distress in non-clinical adult populations: a systematic review Martí-Esquitino, Jesús; Fernández-Serrano, Ana-Belén; Fernández-Zomeño, Alejandro; López-López, Reyes; Martínez-Serrano, José BACKGROUND: The demand for healthcare due to emotional distress from daily challenges has grown rapidly. Many individuals do not meet criteria for a mental disorder, yet psychotropic medication is often the first-line response. Group-based psychological interventions have emerged as alternatives for reducing emotional distress, but their effectiveness in non-clinical populations remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review examines the effectiveness of group-based interventions in reducing emotional distress among non-clinical adults. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted across major databases from January 2013 to March 2025. Eligible studies included interventions targeting adults with non-clinical distress. Studies were excluded if participants had a diagnosed mental disorder or if the absence of diagnosis was unclear. RESULTS: A total of 4,942 records were identified (3,980 through database searching and 962 through backward citation tracking), including 20 studies. Most interventions produced significant improvements. Mindfulness-based approaches were most frequent, either alone or integrated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Relaxation techniques also showed independent benefits. DISCUSSION: Most interventions were psychoeducational, with mindfulness most widely applied. No significant differences were observed between intervention types. Findings highlight the potential of diverse psychological strategies to improve well-being in non-clinical adults, while stressing the need for further evaluation.

El estigma de los profesionales de salud mental hacia los usuarios con trastorno mental

2026-05-13T11:04:54Z

El estigma de los profesionales de salud mental hacia los usuarios con trastorno mental Valverde-Bolívar, Efrén; García-Arenas, José-J; López-Pelegrín, Ilda; Pérez-Gómez, Laura; Muñoz-López, Manuel; Simonelli-Muñoz, Agustín-J Individuals with mental disorders are labeled in such a way that it leads to stigmatization. This generates a disadvantage as regards to the rest of the members of the society, limiting their participation as active members within it and at the same time being deleterious to their way of life. Mental health professionals are not safe from internalizing these stereotypes and prejudices assumed from their environment, thereby showing stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors towards the users in the different mental health resources.

How to improve the quality and transparency of systematic review? PRISMA 2020 guideline

2026-05-13T11:04:49Z

How to improve the quality and transparency of systematic review? PRISMA 2020 guideline Sanchez-Martín, Micaela; Rubio-Aparicio, María; López-García, Gines-David; Navarro-Mateu, Fernando

Anxiolytic Medication Use in Low- Middle- and High-Income Countries: A World Mental Health Surveys Report

2026-05-13T11:02:48Z

Anxiolytic Medication Use in Low- Middle- and High-Income Countries: A World Mental Health Surveys Report Stein, Dan-J; Kazdin, Alan-E; Baldwin, David-S; Harris, Meredith-G; Hwang, Irving; Pozuelo, Julia-R; Sampson, Nancy-A; Woodruff, Peter; Viana, María-Carmen; Aguilar-Gaxiola, Sergio; Al-hamzawi, Ali; Alonso, Jordi; Andrade, Laura-Helena; Benjet, Corina; Bruffaerts, Ronny; Caldas-de-Almeida, José-Miguel; Chardoul, Stephanie; De-Girolamo, Giovanni; Gureje, Oye; Haro, Josep-M; Karam, Elie-G; Karam, Aimee; Kovess-masfety, Viviane; Navarro-Mateu, Fernando; Nishi, Daisuke; Posada-villa, José; Roest, Annelieke; Stagnaro, Juan-Carlos; Vladescu, Cristian; Vigo, Daniel-V; Kessler, Ronald-C BACKGROUND: Anxiolytic medications, particularly benzodiazepines, are widely prescribed, giving impetus to long-standing debates about how often these agents should be employed in clinical practice. There are, however, few cross-country studies of the pharmacoepidemiology of these agents. We report on the frequency of anxiolytic medication use, reasons for use, and perceived effectiveness of use in general population surveys across 20 countries. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews with community samples totaling n = 49,919 respondents in the World Health Organization World Mental Health (WMH) Surveys asked about anxiolytic medication use anytime in the prior 12 months in conjunction with validated fully structured diagnostic interviews. Treatment questions were administered independently of diagnoses to all respondents. RESULTS: A weighted 5.6% (n = 4079) of respondents reported anxiolytic medication use within the past 12 months; the vast majority comprised benzodiazepine use, and use was highest amongst respondents with a subthreshold major depressive episode (MDE) (25.2%) and a 12-month MDE (19.8%). Rates were significantly higher in high-income countries (HICs) than low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (8.5% vs. 2.2%, ?(2) (1) = 559.6, p < 0.001). Short-acting benzodiazepines and z-drugs were most commonly used for sleep (66.5% and 85.5%), while intermediate-acting benzodiazepines and long-acting benzodiazepines were most commonly used either for sleep (37.9% and 30.1%) or anxiety (33.3% and 32.0%). Across all conditions, anxiolytic medications were reported as very effective by 55.7% of users and somewhat effective by an additional 32.2% of users, with similar proportions in HICs and LMICs. Negative predictors of high perceived effectiveness were a 12-month MDE and taking anxiolytic medication for comorbid anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION: These data do not definitely answer the question of how often benzodiazepines should be prescribed in clinical practice, but they usefully inform discussions of how to optimize their use. It is noteworthy that anxiolytic medications, particularly benzodiazepines, are largely prescribed for anxiety and sleep, and that they are widely perceived to be either very or somewhat effective by users. However, more targeted prescription of these agents may be necessary; in particular antidepressant intervention should be prioritized in the pharmacotherapy of major depressive disorder.