New investigation results, 'Effects of befriending on depressive symptoms and distress: systematic review and meta-analysis,' are detailed in a study published in The British Journal of Psychiatry. According to a study from Manchester, the United Kingdom, "High rates of emotional distress and depressive symptoms in the community can reflect difficult life events and social circumstances. There is a need for appropriate, low-cost, non-medical interventions for many individuals."

"Befriending is an emotional support intervention commonly offered by the voluntary sector. To examine the effectiveness of befriending in the treatment of emotional distress and depressive symptoms. Systematic review of randomised trials of interventions focused on providing emotional support to individuals in the community. Compared with usual care or no treatment, befriending had a modest but significant effect on depressive symptoms in the short term (standardised mean difference SMD=-0.27, 95% CI -0.48 to -0.06, nine studies) and long term (SMD=-0.18, 95% CI -0.32 to -0.05, five studies). Befriending has a modest effect on depressive symptoms and emotional distress in varied patient groups," wrote N. Mead and colleagues, University of Manchester (see also Depression Prevention).

The researchers concluded: "Further exploration of active ingredients, appropriate target populations and optimal methods of delivery is required."

Mead and colleagues published their study in The British Journal of Psychiatry (Effects of befriending on depressive symptoms and distress: systematic review and meta-analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 2010;196(2):96-101).

For more information, contact N. Mead, Research Fellow, NIHR School for Primary Care Research, 5th Floor, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.