Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42293973›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in psychology2026

Mapping the evidence base of positive psychology interventions: effectiveness, limitations, and future directions.

Shamim Akhter, Tribhuwan Kumar, Musarat Shaheen

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Shamim AkhterFaculty of Education and Liberal Arts, INTI International University, Putra Nilai, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
Tribhuwan KumarDepartment of Social Sciences, College of Science and Humanities at Sulail, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Musarat ShaheenDepartment of Social Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) have emerged as a scientifically grounded body of practice aimed at fostering wellbeing, resilience, and optimal human functioning. Over the past two decades, the empirical literature has expanded substantially, yet critical gaps remain regarding intervention fidelity, population specificity, moderating variables, and long-term efficacy. This systematic review aims to map the evidence base of PPIs by synthesizing findings from meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and recent empirical studies; identifying effectiveness across diverse populations; delineating methodological limitations; and articulating future research priorities. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted using Boolean search strategies. Studies published between 2000 and 2025 were included. PRISMA 2020 guidelines informed the review protocol. Sixty-three primary studies and 11 meta-analyses met inclusion criteria. Results: PPIs demonstrated consistently positive effects on subjective wellbeing (SWB), life satisfaction, and positive affect (mean Discussion: The evidence base for PPIs is substantive but uneven. Future research must address longitudinal effectiveness, cultural adaptation, personalized digital delivery, and integration with clinical practice.

Indexed as

digital interventionsemotional regulationgamificationmental healthmindfulnesspositive psychology interventionspsychological wellbeing

Identifiers

PMID42293973
PMCPMC13261818

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.