Using Digital Technologies for Mental Health Promotion in Community and Educational Settings: A Systematic Review
Keywords:
Digital technology, mental health promotion, community, educational settings, systematic reviewAbstract
To classify digital technologies for mental health promotion in community and educational settings and synthesize their effectiveness. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Six major databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus) were searched from 2010 to 2025. Fifty-two studies, comprising Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental studies, and implementation research, were selected. Methodological quality was assessed using RoB 2, ROBINS-I, and AMSTAR 2 tools. Eight categories of technology were identified, predominantly mobile applications (61.5%) and web-based platforms (53.8%). Meta-analysis (n=42) demonstrated moderate effect sizes in reducing depression (d=0.55), anxiety (d=0.50), and stress (d=0.45), and high effectiveness in enhancing mental health literacy (d=0.60). Key success factors included user-centered design, privacy protection, and blended care models. Digital technologies demonstrate empirical effectiveness in mental health promotion. Policy recommendations for Thailand include developing culturally adapted platforms, integrating digital interventions into primary health care systems, and addressing the digital divide to ensure equitable access.
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