The Pursuit of Resilience: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Resilience-Promoting Interventions

The current paper examines whether resilience-promoting interventions lead to increased self-reported resilience relative to a control group. The literature search was conducted using terms “resilience intervention” OR “promoting resilience” OR “promoting resiliency” OR “resilience-based intervention”. A total of 83 studies were included in the meta-analysis and systematic review. The quality of studies was evaluated based on sample size, appropriateness of statistical analyses, and protocol for intervention adoption. Moderation models examined effects of study characteristics (study rigour), delivery characteristics (mode of intervention [e.g., self-guided], mode of delivery [e.g., in-person] and format [e.g., group-based]), and resilience characteristics (type of resilience [e.g., coping] and resilience process) on outcomes. Findings indicated that resilience-promoting interventions significantly improved resilience relative to controls, Hedges’ g = 0.72 (SE = 0.07, 95% CI = [0.59, 0.85], Z = 10.61, p < .001). These effects were heterogeneous, Q(102) = 1232.57, p < .001. Mode of intervention, resilience type, and resilience process emerged as important moderators. Results of the current meta-analysis support the effectiveness of resilience interventions, while positing considerations for intervention design and implementation. Clinical and research implications are discussed.