Couple- or family-oriented interventions and outcomes for preventing mental health problems and promoting mental health: a scoping review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to map the literature describing couple- and family-oriented interventions and outcomes to prevent mental health problems and promote mental health.

Introduction: Literature involving couple- and family-focused mental health interventions has gained increased attention over the past two decades, yet little is known about the efficacy of these interventions for promoting mental health and preventing mental disorders. Despite recognition that the most sustainable method for reducing the increasing burden of mental disorders is primary prevention, there has been no systematic investigation of relevant couple- and family-focused interventions.

Inclusion Criteria: This scoping review will consider studies that include couples or multiple family members who have participated in couple- and family-focused interventions aimed at primary prevention of mental disorders and promotion of mental health. This study will include experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational study designs, as well as qualitative studies. Conference abstracts, posters, editorials, commentaries, and opinion papers will be excluded.

Methods: Multiple databases will be searched, including PubMed (MEDLINE), CINAHL, ERIC, PsycINFO (via EBSCO), Web of Science, Scopus, and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS). Trial registers and gray literature will also be searched. Two independent reviewers will screen the abstract/title of retrieved citations using inclusion and exclusion criteria. After screening titles and abstracts of identified citations, relevant studies will be retrieved in full. Using a data extraction instrument developed specifically for this review, eligible studies will be extracted and presented in diagrammatic or tabular form, accompanied by a narrative summary.