The impact of family interventions on communication in the context of anxiety and depression in those aged 14–24 years: systematic review of randomised control trials

Abstract

Background The ability to communicate is integral to all human relationships. Previous research has specifically highlighted communication within families as both a risk and protective factor for anxiety disorders and/or depression. Yet, there is limited understanding about whether communication is amenable to intervention in the context of adolescent psychopathology, and whether doing so improves outcomes. Aims The aim of this systematic review was to determine in which contexts and for whom does addressing communication in families appear to work, not work and why? Method We pre-registered our systematic review with PROSPERO (identifier CRD42022298719), followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidance and assessed study quality with the Risk of Bias 2 tool. Results Seven randomised controlled trials were identified from a systematic search of the literature. There was significant heterogeneity in the features of communication that were measured across these studies. There were mixed findings regarding whether family-focused interventions led to improvements in communication. Although there was limited evidence that family-focused interventions led to improvements in communication relative to interventions without a family-focused component, we discuss these findings in the context of the significant limitations in the studies reviewed. Conclusions We conclude that further research is required to assess the efficacy of family-focused interventions for improving communication in the context of anxiety and depression in those aged 14–24 years.

Family communication patterns towards internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescents

“…The findings showed that certain communication styles, especially passive and aggressive ones carried out by parents towards adolescents, were positively correlated with poor attachment, fear and distrust of others, and neglect of the environment (Maximo, 2011). The same thing is reinforced by findings explaining that parental communication affects children in managing anxiety and finding various alternative solutions so that children do not develop behavior that does not deviate due to the problems faced (Lloyd et al, 2023;Halimah et al, 2020). Vice versa, communication can also have a positive impact, such as openness between children and parents, trust, and attachment in the relationship between children and parents so that children are encouraged to openly tell about the conditions they are experiencing (Fasakin, 2017).…”

“…Therefore, adolescents need guidance or direction from parents to face various difficulties; one way is through maintaining good communication (Polcari et al, 2014). Adolescents need guidance from their families while facing various difficulties in the form of social support (Lloyd et al, 2023;Majid et al, 2023). Through good communication, parents can encourage adolescents to behave in a good manner.…”