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Quigley and Watts Ltd Helping decision makers find solutions to improve the wellbeing of communities |
Literature Review
It is important to base decisions on good evidence. We are experienced in producing reviews of academic and unpublished literature to assist decision makers and practitioners.
Our clients have this to say about our literature reviews:
"The report successfully outlines best practice in social marketing,
outlines key findings of evaluations of sexual health social marketing campaigns, describes key characteristics of effective interventions, and reviews factors that influence sexual health behaviour.
The recommendations made in the report are well researched and pertinent to the Ministry's needs."
- Project Manager, Ministry of Health
"Quigley and Watts completed a significant evidence review on youth mental health promotion for the Mental Health Foundation. They produced an analysis that was useful and insightful, covering a broad range of literature, within a very short time frame. They have made an important contribution to the future of the organisation."
- Chief Executive, Mental Health Foundation.
- Project Manager, Ministry of Health
"Quigley and Watts completed a significant evidence review on youth mental health promotion for the Mental Health Foundation. They produced an analysis that was useful and insightful, covering a broad range of literature, within a very short time frame. They have made an important contribution to the future of the organisation."
- Chief Executive, Mental Health Foundation.
Examples of our literature reviews are below:
Ministry of Youth Development Reviews
| Who for | Ministry of Youth Development and Health Research Council |
| Why | As part of its 'What Works in Youth Development' research programme, MYD contracted three reviews based on systematic review principles. |
| What | This review focused on the effectiveness of social marketing programmes aimed at young people. The main aim was to identify the critical success factors for social marketing interventions effective in changing youth behaviour in the medium to long term (at least 1-2 years). Other objectives were to identify the population groups for which youth social marketing has been effective, as well as evidence of any unintended consequences of youth social marketing interventions. |
| Outcomes | The review confirmed that a group of recent social marketing campaigns have been successful in achieving reported adolescent behaviour change. Tobacco use, marijuana use, physical activity and sexual health were the main topics with evidence of effectiveness. Features of effective campaigns included thorough research on the audience and targeting of messages to youth audiences; use of creative private sector-based marketing strategies (such as branding positive lifestyles); use of multiple channels (such as television, text or web based promotion and printed resources or giveaways) to increase exposure; and addressing public policy in addition to individual behaviour. Sustained funding and duration, and high levels of marketing exposure, were important in the most successful programmes such as the US-based Truth and VERB campaigns. A message from the review was the need for multiple organisations with an interest in youth outcomes to combine their resources (e.g. expertise, time, funding) to deliver social marketing campaigns to youth. The evidence on effectiveness for particular youth sub-populations was more limited and inconclusive, due to a lack of ethnic-specific findings. The review suggests social marketing campaigns have been especially successful with younger teenagers and 'tweens' (9-14 year olds) and the review found little information on unanticipated consequences of social marketing with youth. |
Review of Evidence about the Effectiveness of Mental Health Promotion Programmes Targeting Youth/Rangatahi
| Who for | Mental Health Foundation |
| Why | To inform the development of a mental health promotion programme for youth/rangatahi. |
| What | We carried out a rapid review of evidence about the effectiveness of mental health promotion programmes targeting young people aged 12-24. The review covered both New Zealand and international literature, and there was a particular focus on what works for Maori youth. The review aimed to identify characteristics of successful programmes, and summarise best practice in programme design and evaluation. |
| Outcomes | The review found evidence that mental health promotion programmes can a) build skills and assets that are associated with mental wellbeing and resilience; b) reduce "problem" behaviours in young people; and c) reduce mental health problems in young people. Success factors identified included a long term, strengths-based approach that is culturally appropriate and age appropriate, attention to both individual skills and environmental factors, a skilled workforce, and youth participation in programme design and leadership. |
Effectiveness of Sexual Health Social Marketing
| Who for | Ministry of Health |
| Why | To inform the development of a sexual health social marketing campaign aimed at young people. |
| What | We carried out a comprehensive review of literature on effective sexual health and social marketing programmes. The review focused on characteristics of programmes that achieved a change in behavior, and impacts and outcomes measured as part of programme evaluation. |
| Outcomes | The review identified predisposing, reinforcing and enabling factors for sexual health behaviours. Despite a limited evidence base, the review found some evidence of effectiveness of social marketing programmes for young people. Recommendations included the need for a comprehensive and longer term approach, and to involve young people in the campaign. |
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