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The Effectiveness of Interventions for Youth That Activate the Social Network: A Meta-Analytic Study

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Effectiveness of Interventions for Youth That Activate the Social Network: A Meta-Analytic Study
Language: English
Authors: Natasha Koper, Roos M. van der Heijden, Sophie Donk, Thao Kieu, Hanneke E. Creemers, Levi van Dam, Susan Branje (ORCID 0000-0002-9999-5313), Geert Jan J. M. Stams
Source: Applied Developmental Science. 2025 29(3):195-219.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 25
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Descriptors: Literature Reviews, Youth, Young Adults, Intervention, Social Networks, Social Support Groups, Program Descriptions, Program Effectiveness, Educational Research, Individual Characteristics, Evaluation Methods
DOI: 10.1080/10888691.2024.2317714
ISSN: 1088-8691
1532-480X
Abstract: This meta-analysis aimed to examine the effectiveness of interventions for youth that activate the social network for improving youth outcomes (e.g. psychological problems, child safety). A literature search yielded 37 studies with 35 independent samples (N = 712,269) of youth aged 0-26 years (M = 7.20), and 409 effect sizes. A three-level meta-analysis controlling for the dependency among effect sizes within studies showed no overall effect of interventions activating the social network (d = 0.11, p = 0.241). Yet, moderator analyses revealed positive effects for youth-initiated mentoring interventions (d = 0.46), youth deciding who to involve (d = 0.52), interventions that involve only one person (d = 0.56), European samples (d = 0.40), interventions targeting youth with mental health needs (d = 0.75), data retrieved through questionnaires (d = 0.10) and official records (d = 0.14), assessments completed by professionals (d = 0.34) or parents (d = 0.17), and outcomes that were corrected for pretest differences between conditions (d = 0.27). This meta-analysis demonstrates that social network activation matters for intervention effectiveness under specific conditions.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502924
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:This meta-analysis aimed to examine the effectiveness of interventions for youth that activate the social network for improving youth outcomes (e.g. psychological problems, child safety). A literature search yielded 37 studies with 35 independent samples (N = 712,269) of youth aged 0-26 years (M = 7.20), and 409 effect sizes. A three-level meta-analysis controlling for the dependency among effect sizes within studies showed no overall effect of interventions activating the social network (d = 0.11, p = 0.241). Yet, moderator analyses revealed positive effects for youth-initiated mentoring interventions (d = 0.46), youth deciding who to involve (d = 0.52), interventions that involve only one person (d = 0.56), European samples (d = 0.40), interventions targeting youth with mental health needs (d = 0.75), data retrieved through questionnaires (d = 0.10) and official records (d = 0.14), assessments completed by professionals (d = 0.34) or parents (d = 0.17), and outcomes that were corrected for pretest differences between conditions (d = 0.27). This meta-analysis demonstrates that social network activation matters for intervention effectiveness under specific conditions.
ISSN:1088-8691
1532-480X
DOI:10.1080/10888691.2024.2317714