Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Psychiatry 1735-4587 0 0 2026 07 20 1 14 Yifei Pan Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia. Saeid Motevalli Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia AND Wellbeing Research Centre, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia. Abbas Abdollahi Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia AND Wellbeing Research Centre, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia. Richard Peter Bailey Wellbeing Research Centre, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia AND Department of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia. 7 2026 05 20 2026 06 16 Objective: Self-esteem and psychological well-being are key determinants of mental health in children and adolescents. Narrative-based interventions (NBIs) are increasingly used to promote these outcomes. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of NBIs on self-esteem and psychological well-being in children and adolescents. Method: A systematic search was conducted in Scopus and PubMed (January 2010 – March 2025). MeSH terms included narrative therapy, storytelling, self-esteem, psychological well-being, child, and adolescent. Two reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). A total of 18 studies were included: seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs), three quasi-experimental, four qualitative, and four mixed-methods designs. Narrative synthesis was used due to heterogeneity. Results: Fifteen studies (83.3%) reported positive effects on self-esteem or psychological well-being. Effect sizes ranged from small to large. Digital storytelling was most consistently associated with improved self-esteem (4 of 5 studies). Group narrative therapy showed stronger effects on behavioral symptoms (3 of 3 studies). Two studies reported null or mixed findings. Moreover, qualitative studies consistently reported themes of empowerment, healing, and identity transformation. Conclusion: NBIs show promise for enhancing self-esteem and well-being, particularly digital storytelling and group narrative therapy. However, evidence quality is variable. High-quality RCTs with diverse populations and longer follow-ups are needed. https://ijps.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijps/article/view/4624