Protocol for a Systematic Review on the Effectiveness and Acceptance of Digital Mental Health Interventions for Neurodivergent Young People

Introduction

Research shows that neurodivergent young people, including those with Autism and Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), experience elevated rates of anxiety and depression in comparison to their neurotypical peers. There has been a surge in digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) since the pandemic, offering more accessible support. However, the effectiveness and acceptance of these interventions within neurodivergent populations remain largely underexplored. This work presents the protocol for a systematic review designed to synthesise existing evidence on which digital interventions are most effective in reducing anxiety and depression, and which are most accepted by neurodivergent young people. Additionally, it will explore the factors that influence both effectiveness and acceptance.

Methods

This systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews andMeta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search will be conducted across major electronic databases, including PubMed, EBSCOhost (CINAHL/PsycINFO/PsycArticles) and Web of Science, to identify peer-reviewed studies evaluating digital mental health interventions for neurodivergent young people. Inclusion criteria will consist of:

Studies that assess digital interventions (e.g., mobile apps, online platforms, webpages etc.) designed for neurodivergent young people aged 15-24;
Studies measuring anxiety and/or depression outcomes, intervention engagement, and user acceptance;
Studies published from 2015; and
Studies written in English.

Two independent reviewers will screen titles, abstracts, and full texts. Data extraction will focus on intervention type, study design, participant characteristics, mental health outcomes, and engagement measures. A risk of bias assessment will be conducted to evaluate the quality of included studies.Thematic synthesis will be applied to qualitative data on user acceptance, while meta-analysis will be performed where data permits.

Results

As this is a protocol, no results are available at this stage. The expected outcomes of the systematic review will provide insights into which digital interventions show the most promise for managing anxiety and depression among neurodivergent young people and which factors influence their effectiveness and acceptance.

Conclusions

This systematic review protocol establishes a structured methodology to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptance of digital mental health interventions for neurodivergent young people. Findings from the full review will provide evidence-based recommendations for clinicians, researchers, and developers working to create inclusive and personalised digital interventions. This work aligns with broader efforts to improve accessibility, engagement, and effectiveness in digital mental health services for neurodivergent populations.