The Anna Freud Centre’s online research library contains a collection of evidence-based material on children and young people’s mental health, written and co-written by our team. The research explores factors relating to:
anxiety | behavioural difficulties | depression | digital mental health | empowering young people and families | early years | evaluation | fostering and adoption | intervention | maltreatment and abuse | measures | mentalization | methodology | neurodiversity | parents and carers| prevalence and trends | prevention | psychological therapies | resources | risk and resilience | social care | trauma | wellbeing
The library is managed by our team of evidence experts. It is updated on a regular basis and currently consists of research published between 2018 and 2023.
Please be aware that links to our open-access papers lead to external sites and that the management, data handling and administration of these external sites is not the Anna Freud Centre’s responsibility.
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A mixed methods evaluation of a peer mentoring intervention in a UK school setting: perspectives from mentees and mentors
Peer mentoring is a popular type of school-based support. However, peer mentoring models can vary substantially and evidence for the efficacy of such support is mixed.
Authors: Stapley, E., Town, R., Yoon, Y., Lereya, S. T. , Farr, J., Turner, J., Barnes, N., & Deighton, J. (2022).
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The Depression: Online Therapy Study (D:OTS) – pilot study of an internet-based psychodynamic treatment for adolescents with low mood in the UK, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
This pilot study examined the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of an English-language adaptation of internet-based psychodynamic treatment (iPDT) for depressed adolescents, undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Methods: A single-group, uncontrolled design was used.
Authors: Midgley, N., Mortimer, R., Guerrero-Tates, B., Edbrooke-Childs, J., Mechler, J., Lindqvist, K.,Gajikowski. S, Leibovich. L, Martin. P, Andersson. G, Vlaescu. G, Lillengren. P, Kitson. A, Butler-Wheelhouse. P., & Philips, B. (2021).
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Children and young people’s mental health in the English-speaking Caribbean: a scoping review and evidence map
Internationally, there is a wealth of research suggesting that many children and young people experience mental health problems. However, the evidence from low- and middle-income countries and developing nations is generally limited. This scoping review aimed to add to the body of evidence by providing an overview of the available research literature on children and young people’s (CYP’s) mental health in the English-speaking Caribbean region.
Authors: Liverpool, S., Pereira, B., Pollard, M., Prescod, J. & Trotman, C. (2021).
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Mobile apps that promote emotion regulation, positive mental health, and wellbeing in the general population: systematic review and meta-analysis
We aimed to systematically review the available research on mental health apps (MHapps) that promote emotion regulation, positive mental health, and wellbeing in the general population aged 18-45 years. More specifically, the review aimed at providing a systematic description of the theoretical background and features of MHapps while evaluating any potential effectiveness.
Authors: Eisenstadt, M., Liverpool, S., Infanti E., Ciuvat R.M., & Carlsson, C. (2021).
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Patient and public involvement in youth mental health research: protocol for a systematic review of practices and impact.
Various health settings have advocated for involving patients and members of the public in research as a means to increase quality and relevance of the produced knowledge. However, youth patient and public involvement has been an understudied area. This protocol paper describes a new project that aims to summarize what is known about PPI with young people in mental health research.
Authors: Sales, C. M. D., Martins, F., Alves, M. M., Carletto, S., Conejo-Ceron, S., da Silva, L. C., Cus. A, Edridge. C, Ferrerira. N, Hancheva. C, Lima, E. M. A., Liverpool, S., Midgley, N., Moltrecht. B., & Edbrooke-Childs, J. (2021).
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A mixed-methods realist evaluation of the implementation and impact of Community Forensic CAMHS to manage risk for young people with forensic and mental health needs: study protocol
Young people in contact with forensic child and adolescent mental health services present with more complex needs than young people in the general population. This paper aims to present the protocol for a national study examining the impact and implementation of Community Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (F:CAMHS).
Authors: Lane, R., D'Souza, S., Livanou, M., Jacob, J., Riches, W., Ullman, R., Rashid, A., Singleton, R., Wheeler, J., Fuggle, P., Bevington, D., Deighton, J., Law, D., Fonagy, P., Hindley, N., White, O., & Edbrooke-Childs, J. (2021).
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Acceptability, engagement, and exploratory outcomes of an emotional wellbeing app: mixed methods preliminary evaluation and descriptive analysis
This evaluation aims to describe the acceptability, engagement, and preliminary outcomes of using an app (Paradym) designed to promote emotional well-being and positive mental health.
Authors: Eisenstadt, A., Liverpool, S., Metaxa, A., Ciuvat, R. M., & Carlsson, C. (2021).
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A scoping review of the factors that influence families’ ability or capacity to provide young people with emotional support over the transition to adulthood
We conducted a scoping review to identify the factors that influence families’ ability or capacity to provide young people with emotional support during the transition to adulthood, and to understand the gaps in this research area.
Authors: Stapley, E., Vainieri, I., Li, E., Merrick, H., Jeffery, M., Foreman, S., Casey, P., Ullman, R. & Cortina, M. (2021).
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Adaptation of a school-based mental health literacy curriculum: from Canadian to English classrooms
School-based mental health literacy (MHL) interventions are increasingly trialled outside of the country in which they were developed. However, there is a lack of published studies that qualitatively explore their cultural adaptation. This study investigated the reasons for adaptations made and suggested to a Canadian MHL curriculum (The Guide) within the English school context.
Authors: Mansfield, R., Humphrey, N., Patalay, P., Moore, A., & Stapley, E. (2021).
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Characteristics of young people accessing recently implemented Community Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (F:CAMHS) in England: insights from national service activity data.
Children and young people in contact with forensic child and adolescent mental health services present with more complex needs than young people in the general population. This research examines the characteristics of children and young people referred to recently commissioned Community Forensic Child and Adolescent Services (F:CAMHS) and service activity during the first 24 months of service.
Authors: Lane, R., D’Souza, S., Singleton, R., Hindley, N., Bevington, D., White, O., Jacob, J., Wheeler, J., & Edbrooke-Childs, J. (2021).