The effectiveness of group-based psychological interventions for emotional distress in non-clinical adult populations: a systematic review

The demand for healthcare due to emotional distress from daily challenges has grown rapidly. Many individuals do not meet criteria for a mental disorder, yet psychotropic medication is often the first-line response. Group-based psychological interventions have emerged as alternatives for reducing emotional distress, but their effectiveness in non-clinical populations remains unclear.
This systematic review examines the effectiveness of group-based interventions in reducing emotional distress among non-clinical adults.
A comprehensive search was conducted across major databases from January 2013 to March 2025. Eligible studies included interventions targeting adults with non-clinical distress. Studies were excluded if participants had a diagnosed mental disorder or if the absence of diagnosis was unclear.
A total of 4,942 records were identified (3,980 through database searching and 962 through backward citation tracking), including 20 studies. Most interventions produced significant improvements. Mindfulness-based approaches were most frequent, either alone or integrated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Relaxation techniques also showed independent benefits.
Most interventions were psychoeducational, with mindfulness most widely applied. No significant differences were observed between intervention types. Findings highlight the potential of diverse psychological strategies to improve well-being in non-clinical adults, while stressing the need for further evaluation.