
Social networks are complex adaptive systems that can profoundly influence health and well-being. Yet, conventional health interventions frequently isolate individuals without taking social networks into account. Social network interventions - which leverage social network characteristics to enhance intervention effectiveness - show promise but often lack robust design frameworks for impact assessment. Agent-based modeling (ABM) has emerged as a powerful computational tool for estimating social network effects and forecasting intervention outcomes across various scenarios. However, a comprehensive synthesis of ABM applications in social network interventions remains absent from the literature. This systematic review follows PRISMA-S guidelines to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of social network interventions tested through agent-based models. We searched Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases, identifying 1,282 initial papers, with 19 meeting inclusion criteria after screening and full-test assessment. Our analysis examines the types of simulated network interventions, their performance, and specific health contexts. This review will provide critical insights into the application of agent-based modeling in social network interventions, informing future research directions and intervention design in public health. This work is supported by ZonMW (projectnumber: 05550032110022)
social network intervention, well-being, systematic literature review, health, agent-based model
social network intervention, well-being, systematic literature review, health, agent-based model
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 0 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
