The impact of mobile mental health interventions on depressive and anxiety symptoms among university students: A scoping review
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Globally, mental health problems such as depression and anxiety have become increasingly prominent among university students, posing serious threats to their academic performance, social functioning, and personal development. Traditional mental health service models face numerous challenges, including resource scarcity, poor accessibility, and stigmatization, making it difficult to meet the substantial demand. This scoping review aims to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of mobile mental health interventions (mMHIs) in reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms among university students, identify key influencing factors, and explore the limitations of existing research as well as future directions. Following the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines, this study conducted a systematic review of relevant literature through structured processes of searching, screening, eligibility assessment, and data extraction, ultimately including 53 articles for analysis. The review reveals that mMHIs, particularly applications based on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness, demonstrate significant potential in improving depressive and anxiety symptoms among university students. The findings indicate that these interventions can effectively alleviate symptoms, enhance psychological resilience and well-being, and exhibit high levels of acceptability and feasibility. However, challenges related to user engagement and retention rates, heterogeneity in intervention effects, and the need for in-depth research on specific cultural contexts and long-term outcomes remain critical areas requiring future attention. This review not only synthesizes the evidence from current research but also identifies gaps in the existing knowledge base, providing important insights for future research directions and practical applications.
Source: Well-Being Sciences Review
Authors: Junting Mu, Pei Sun
Institution: City University of Macau
Subfield: Applied Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7161600328