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Table 4 Moderator effects: subgroup analysis (post-test)

From: Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies

Outcome measure

Criteria

Subgroup (study)

n

Cohen’s d (95% CI)

Test for subgroup differences

Subjective well-being

Self-selection

Self-selected

15

0.29 (0.18 – 0.39)***

Q=0.64, df=1 (p=.43)

  

Not self-selected

13

0.38 (0.17 – 0.60)**

 
 

Duration

<=4 weeks

17

0.35 (0.18 – 0.52)***

Q=1.84, df=2 (p=.91)

  

<=8 weeks

6

0.24 (0.10 - 0.39)**

Slope=0.01, Z=0.14 (p=.89)

  

>8 weeks

5

0.43 (0.17 – 0.68)**

 
 

Type

Self help

20

0.33 (0.20 – 0.46)***

Q=0.20, df=2 (p=.91)

  

Group

5

0.38 (0.03 – 0.73)*

 
  

Individual

3

0.41 (0.01 – 0.81)*

 
 

Recruitment

Community

6

0.29 (0.11 – 0.48)**

Q=5.36, df=4 (p=.25)

  

Internet

2

0.06 (−0.24 – 0.35)ns

 
  

Referral/hospital

2

0.51 (0.08 – 0.95)*

 
  

University

16

0.36 (0.19 – 0.53)***

 
  

Organization

2

0.62 (0.11-1.12)*

 
 

Psychosocial problems

Specific psychosocial problems

4

0.31 (0.09 – 0.52)**

Q=0.10, df=1 (p=.76)

  

None

24

0.35 (0.22 – 0.48)***

 
 

Quality rating

Low (1–2)

16

0.29 (0.17 – 0.40)***

Q=2.41, df=2 (p=.30)

  

Medium (3–4)

11

0.40 (0.19 – 0.61)***

Slope=−0.00, Z=0.08 (p=.94)

  

High (5–6)

1

0.05 (−0.34 – 0.44)ns

 

Psychological well-being

Self-selection

Self-selected

15

0.18 (0.05 – 0.30)**

Q=0.32, df=1 (P=.57)

  

Not self-selected

5

0.25 (0.04- 0.46) *

 
 

Duration

<=4 weeks

11

0.16 (0.07 – 0.25)***

Q=1.91, df=2 (p=.39)

  

<=8 weeks

2

0.35 (−0.20 – 0.89)ns

Slope=0.05, Z=0.95 (p=.34)

  

>8 weeks

7

0.41 (0.03 – 0.79)*

 
 

Type

Self help

10

0.14 (0.05 – 0.23)**

Q=3.76, df=2 (p=.15)

  

Group

6

0.26 (0.08 – 0.44)**

 
  

Individual

4

0.81 (−0.01 – 1.63)ns

 
 

Recruitment

Community

4

0.20 (−0.03 – 0.44)ns

Q=7.04, df=4 (p=.13)

  

Internet

5

0.09 (−0.03 – 0.21)ns

 
  

Referral/hospital

4

0.91 (0.24 – 1.57)**

 
  

University

5

0.22 (0.08 – 0.35)**

 
  

Organization

2

0.18 (−0.43 – 0.78)ns

 
 

Psychosocial problems

Specific psychosocial problems

5

0.59 (0.00 – 1.18)*

Q=1.93, df=1 (p=.17)

  

None

15

0.17 (0.08 – 0.25)***

 
 

Quality rating

Low (1–2)

10

0.32 (0.07 – 0.58)*

Q=1.86, df=2 (p=.40)

  

Medium (3–4)

9

0.15 (0.06 – 0.24)**

Slope=−0.01, Z=−0.45 (p=.66)

  

High (5–6)

1

0.29 (−0.11 – 0.68)ns

 

Depression

Self-selection

Self-selected

12

0.20 (0.05– 0.36)*

Q=1.73, df=1 (p=.19)

  

Not self-selected

2

0.41 (0.15 – 0.66)**

 
 

Duration

<=4 weeks

7

0.15 (0.02 - 0.28)*

Q=4.86, df=2 (p=.09)

  

<=8 weeks

2

0.47 (−0.02 - 0.97)ns

Slope=0.20, Z=2.32 (p=.02)

  

>8 weeks

5

0.68 (0.15 – 1.21)*

 
 

Type

Self help

8

0.15 (0.03 – 0.27)*

Q=6.99, df=2 (p=.03)

  

Group

2

0.47 (−0.02 – 0.97)ns

 
  

Individual

4

0.88 (0.29 – 1.47)**

 
 

Recruitment

Community

1

0.48 (−0.23 – 1.18)ns

Q=15.76, df=4 (p<.01)

  

Internet

5

0.11 (−0.02 – 0.23)ns

 
  

Referral/hospital

3

1.14 (0.55 – 1.73)***

 
  

University

3

0.41 (0.17 – 0.65)**

 
  

Organization

2

0.22 (−0.18 – 0.63)ns

 
 

Psychosocial problems

Specific psychosocial problems

5

0.78 (0.35 – 1.21)***

Q=7.65, df=1 (p=.01)

  

None

9

0.16 (0.05 – 0.27)**

 
 

Quality rating

Low (1–2)

7

0.47 (0.26 – 0.67)***

Q=10.14, df=2 (p=.01)

  

Medium (3–4)

6

0.15 (0.00 – 0.30)*

Slope=−0.10, Z=−2.26 (p=.02)

  

High (5–6)

1

−0.17 (−0.56 – 0.22)ns

 
  1. * p<0.05; ** p<0.01; *** p<0.001; ns non-significant.
  2. n = Number of studies.