The application of a feedback-informed approach in psychological service with youth: Systematic review and meta-analysis

- The current systematic review assessed the application of a feedback-informed approach in psychological service with youth.
- A total of 12 studies were included in this review, comprising a meta-analysis (n = 9) and a qualitative review (n = 3).
- Most of the studies showed that the feedback effect was favorable, boosting treatment outcomes for youth and their families.
- In the meta-analysis, only two studies showed that the feedback framework offered limited or no beneficial outcomes.
- The overall feedback effect was in the small range, with effect sizes ranging from 0.20 to 0.32.
- Due to the paucity of follow-up trials, it is premature to draw any conclusion on the durability of the feedback effect.

Research with adults has consistently demonstrated that the use of regular client feedback in psychological services can improve outcomes. However, there appear to be fewer studies with youth. The purpose of the current review was to explore/assess (1) current developments in research on the use of feedback-informed approaches in mental health interventions or services for youth 10-19 years of age; (2) the efficacy of client feedback in youth treatment settings; and (3) consider future directions for research. A total of 12 studies were included in this review, comprising a meta-analysis (n = 9) and a qualitative review (n = 3). Most studies assessed the benefits of a feedback framework in terms of symptom severity, functioning levels and/or goal attainments in therapy (i.e., ratings on the feedback-informed tools). The Hedges's g indexes of 0.20 (for independent-groups trials), 0.32 (single-group trials) and 0.28 (for all trials) suggest that the collection and application of continuous feedback from youth clients throughout the course of the interventions/services can boost and produce beneficial outcomes for the youth, while noting the feedback effect to be in the small range. Based on these initial findings, implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed, including considering fruitful research directions.