Changing human behaviours is a key facet of addressing global environmental issues. There are many factors (i.e. determinants) that could influence whether an individual engages in pro-environmental behaviour, and understanding these determinants can improve efforts to protect and restore the natural environment. However, despite published criticism of poor survey design, there is little practical guidance on how to capture these determinants accurately in closed-answer surveys (those with predefined answer options). A recent literature review summarized behavioural determinants of pro-environmental behaviour. We build on this by providing practical insights into how 17 key pro-environmental behavioural determinants can be measured through closed-answer surveys. We reviewed 177 papers published during 2013–2023 that met the criteria for inclusion. These papers captured 624 measurements of the 17 determinants. We found seven types of question formats used, including scales (Likert scales, semantic scales and a pictorial scale), multiple-choice questions (where respondents could select either one or more answer options), binary questions and ranking questions. We then synthesized design considerations both specifically for each format and more broadly across surveys. These considerations included using validated measures, reducing cognitive burden and biases (e.g. social desirability bias, order effects, recall bias), selecting the question format (e.g. different formats of multiple-choice or binary questions) and using best practices for scale questions. The insights collected through this review provide practical advice for developing closed-answer surveys that robustly and usefully measure key determinants of pro-environmental behaviour.

Our systematic review aims to synthesise the evidence on interventions targeting improvement in patient adherence to psychological treatments for common mental disorders. A search was conducted on six electronic databases using search terms under the following concepts: common mental disorders, adherence, psychological treatments and controlled trial study design. Due to the heterogeneity in intervention content and outcomes evaluated in the included studies, a narrative synthesis was conducted. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Version 2 tool for randomised controlled trials and the Cochrane ROBINS-I tool for non-randomised controlled trials. The search yielded 23 distinct studies with a total sample size of 2,779 participants. All studies were conducted in high-income or upper-middle-income countries. Interventions to improve patient adherence to psychological treatments included reminders and between-session engagement (e.g., text messages), motivational interviewing, therapy orientation (e.g., expectation-setting) and overcoming structural barriers (e.g., case management). Interventions from 18 out of 23 studies were successful in improving at least one primary adherence outcome of interest (e.g., session attendance). Some studies also reported an improvement in secondary outcomes – six studies reported an improvement in at least one clinical outcome (e.g., depression), and three studies reported improvements in at least one measure of well-being or disability (e.g., days spent in in-patient treatment). By incorporating these interventions into psychological treatment services, therapists can better engage with and support their patients, potentially leading to improved mental health outcomes and overall well-being.

Adolescence is an important life-stage during which shifts towards more healthy and sustainable diets can be promoted. Adolescents have increasing influence over their food choices informed by their developing personal knowledge and values, impacting long-term dietary behaviours into adulthood(1). We aimed to review the recent literature regarding adolescents’ perceptions of environmentally sustainable diets, and interventions to support adolescents to eat sustainably. We reviewed published literature that focussed on adolescent participants and their perceptions of, or interventions to support, sustainable dietary habits. Five electronic databases were searched to include studies published since 2012 that met the inclusion criteria. The JBI approach and PRISMA-Sc checklist(2) was used for source screening, data extraction and presentation of data. Data was extracted including study characteristics, methodology and results in relation to each research question. The extracted data was reported, synthesised and discussed in the context of the food system framework(3) and broader research. Twenty-eight articles were included in the review. Findings suggest that adolescents’ understanding of what constitutes sustainable eating is low. Most adolescents, when asked, were unsure of what constitutes sustainable eating, or a plant-based diet. The environmental impact of the production methods, transport and packaging of foods was most commonly reported when adolescents considered the environmental impact of their foods. The most commonly perceived barrier to consuming sustainable foods mentioned was cost, particularly by adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Other barriers include unappealing taste, appearance or smell of ‘sustainable’ food items (particularly those that were vegetarian). Geographical limitations impacting the ability to grow or purchase local and organic products were also mentioned as barriers to consuming sustainable foods. Adolescents reported a lack of understanding of sustainable diets, and distrust of sustainability-related claims from fast-food outlets regarding the quality or source of ingredients, making it difficult to make informed food choices. Additionally, behaviours conflicting with personal and/or group norms were noted as barriers to adopting sustainable dietary habits. Adolescents that had previously received relevant education, valued nature and health, or were from a rural or indigenous community, were more likely to value environmentally sustainable food choices. Interventions which target adolescents’ cognitive understanding and aspiration to make sustainable food choices appear to improve their attitudes towards sustainable food, whereas interventions to increase the availability of sustainable foods improved the environmental sustainability of adolescents’ dietary intake. Multicomponent, tailored and community-based interventions were most effective however the long-term effect of these interventions remains unclear. More research is needed in diverse countries and settings, with consideration of adolescents’ level of autonomy in food choice and long term-effectiveness of interventions.

Effective school-based mental health promotion and prevention interventions in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) can positively impact the mental health and well-being of large numbers of young people. This scoping review aimed to investigate the implementation of effective mental health promotion and prevention interventions in LMIC schools. A scoping review of the international literature was conducted and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Medline, PsycInfo, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane were searched for peer-reviewed literature published from 2014 to 2022. PsycExtra, Google Scholar and the websites of key organisations were searched for relevant grey literature. Study selection focussed on mental health promotion interventions, including the development of social and emotional skills and mental health literacy, and prevention interventions, including anti-bullying and skill-based interventions for “at-risk” students. Twenty-seven studies evaluating 25 school-based interventions in 17 LMICs were included in the review. Fifteen interventions were developed in the implementing country and 10 were adapted from high-income countries (HICs) or other settings. Findings from the studies reviewed were generally positive, especially when interventions were implemented to a high quality. Universal life-skills interventions were found to increase social and emotional skills, decrease problem behaviours and positively impact students’ mental health and well-being. Mental health literacy interventions increased mental health knowledge and decreased stigma among students and school staff. Outcomes for externally facilitated anti-bullying interventions were less positive. All 19 effective studies reported on some aspects of programme implementation, and 15 monitored implementation fidelity. Eleven studies outlined the programme’s underpinning theoretical model. Only four studies reported on the cultural adaptation of programmes in detail. Including young people in the adaptation process was reported to facilitate natural cultural adaptation of programmes, while input from programme developers was considered key to ensuring that the core components of interventions were retained. The review findings indicate increasing evidence of effective mental health interventions in LMIC schools. To facilitate the sustainability, replication and scaling-up of these interventions, greater attention is needed to reporting on intervention core components, and the processes of implementation and cultural adaptation in the local setting.

Greater unpredictability in childhood from the level of the caregiver-child dyad to broader family, home, or environmental instability is consistently associated with disruptions in cognitive, socioemotional, behavioral, and biological development in humans. These findings are bolstered by experimental research in non-human animal models suggesting that early life unpredictability is an important environmental signal to the developing organism that shapes neurodevelopment and behavior. Research on childhood unpredictability has surged in the past several years, guided in part by theoretical grounding from the developmental psychopathology framework (shaped largely by Dr. Dante Cicchetti’s innovative work). The current review focuses on future directions for unpredictability research, including probing intergenerational effects, the role of predictability in resilience, cultural and contextual considerations, and novel developmental outcomes that should be tested in relation to childhood unpredictability. We urge the integration of multidisciplinary perspectives and collaborations into future research on unpredictability. We also provide ideas for translating this research to real-world practice and policy and encourage high-quality research testing whether incorporating predictability into interventions and policy improves developmental outcomes, which would support further dissemination of these findings.

Alcohol is the number one substance used by young people and people of college age. Binge drinking (BD) in this age group is considered one of the most important global health issues, as much harm accrues from it and even lives are lost. This study aimed to review the interventions to curb BD or encourage responsible drinking among college students and young adults. MEDLINE (PubMed), ERIC and APA PsycINFO were searched. The selected articles were published in English and had to evaluate a BD reduction program through a randomized control trial (RCT) among college students or young adults between the ages of 17–24 years. The exclusion criteria included research not published in English, systematic review articles, qualitative studies, designs other than RCTs and discussion articles on college students drinking with no findings. The three reviewers independently screened and extracted the data using the PRISMA guidelines. The overall quality of the studies was assessed. Then, 10 of the 12 interventions studied were found to be successful in reducing BD among college students, though the effect sizes were small to medium. A minority of the studies used behavior change theories. Effective interventions for reducing BD among college students and young adults should include robust behavior change theories, longer follow-up time and the operationalization of multiple outcomes. Process evaluation is needed to be conducted in these studies.

This review aims to emphasise the impact of poor nutrition on children’s health and psychological well-being, urging those involved in childhood obesity or nutrition services to broaden their intervention approach. Poor nutrition and childhood obesity affect physical and psychological health. The stress of living with obesity further impacts quality of life, well-being and self-esteem. Children living with obesity may experience adverse childhood events and stress, and young people are able to recall the impact of psychosocial issues such as experiencing stigma and discrimination. Food is often a coping mechanism for managing negative emotions, perpetuating cycles of emotional coping and unhealthy eating behaviours. UK guidelines recommend family-based, multi-component weight management interventions for children living with obesity. Interventions mainly target health behaviours and utilise behaviour change techniques attempting to directly improve diet and physical activity as behavioural outcomes. Whilst these interventions may show some improvements in psychological well-being, there is limited consideration or understanding of the underlying mechanisms of action which indirectly influence engagement and the sustainability of the behaviour change. Lack of attention and inclusion of psychosocial variables in intervention implementation may help explain the variable effectiveness reported across childhood obesity interventions. In conclusion, enhancing the effectiveness of childhood obesity interventions requires a broader approach that fully incorporates psychosocial factors. Those responsible for commissioning, designing and implementing these interventions should adopt a holistic approach that addresses psychological and emotional needs while incorporating underlying mechanisms of action. This shift in focus could result in more sustainable and comprehensive treatment for childhood obesity.