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Complex Systems Approaches to Understand Drivers of Mental Health and Inform Mental Health Policy: A Systematic Review

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Abstract

We conducted a systematic review of studies employing complex systems approaches (i.e., agent based and system dynamics models) to understand drivers of mental health and inform mental health policy. We extracted key data (e.g., purpose, design, data) for each study and provide a narrative synthesis of insights generated across studies. The studies investigated drivers and policy intervention strategies across a diversity of mental health outcomes. Based on these studies and the extant literature, we propose a typology of mental health research and policy areas that may benefit from complex systems approaches.

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Funding

Horizon 2020 Framework Programme [Grant Number 667661]. This study was supported by the European Union Horizon 2020 Programme [Grant Number 667661] (Promoting mental wellbeing in the ageing population—MINDMAP). The study does not necessarily reflect the Commission’s views and in no way anticipates the Commission’s future policy in this area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Management and Policy, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Brent A. Langellier, Jonathan Purtle & Katherine L. Nelson

  2. Division of Social and Behavioral Science, School of Public Health, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA

    Yong Yang

  3. Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Katherine L. Nelson, Ivana Stankov & Ana V. Diez Roux

  4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Ana V. Diez Roux

  5. 3215 Market St, 3rd Floor, Office 356, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Brent A. Langellier

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  1. Brent A. Langellier
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  2. Yong Yang
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  3. Jonathan Purtle
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  4. Katherine L. Nelson
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  6. Ana V. Diez Roux
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Correspondence to Brent A. Langellier.

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Appendix

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Table 2 Complex systems terms and definitions
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Langellier, B.A., Yang, Y., Purtle, J. et al. Complex Systems Approaches to Understand Drivers of Mental Health and Inform Mental Health Policy: A Systematic Review. Adm Policy Ment Health 46, 128–144 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-018-0887-5

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