Rural Community‐Based Interventions to Improve the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People: A Rapid Scoping Review of the Quantitative and Qualitative Evidence
This study synthesised evidence on community-based interventions targeting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in rural and remote locations. Scoping review methodology was employed. Searches of six databases were conducted. Titles and abstracts (N = 6457) were screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria, followed by full text screening (N = 61). Twelve publications reporting 10 unique interventions were identified. Interventions varied in design and delivery, with the majority targeting adolescents and focusing on either prevention (e.g., suicide) or improvement of mental health or wellbeing. Themes identified in the synthesis of intervention outcomes included mood and self-esteem, resilience and coping, and belonging and social connectedness. Barriers and facilitators to intervention implementation were also identified. Initial evidence suggests positive impacts on youth mental health, wellbeing, and community relationships. However, further research into rural community-based interventions is needed.
Authors
- Julian Edbrooke‐Childs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0401-4058)
- Abigail Thompson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7124-9968)
- Jessica Deighton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9516-7545)
- Peter Fonagy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0229-0091)
- Emily McDougal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7684-7417)
- A Sheikh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1768-2039)
- Suzet Tanya Lereya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9100-459X)
- Ediane Santana de Lima (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1523-4181)
- Tim Hobbs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7232-291X)
Institutions
- Anna Freud Centre (GB)
- Dartington Service Design Lab (GB)
- University College London (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Community Psychology
- Published
- 2025-08-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.70037
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Resilience and Mental Health
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.31
Funders
- University of Central Lancashire
- Scottish Government
- National Institute for Health and Care Research
- British Heart Foundation
- Public Health Agency
- Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate
- Medical Research Council
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- Economic and Social Research Council
- Natural Environment Research Council
- Health and Social Care Research and Development Division