Review Quality Rating: 8 (strong) - View Quality Assessment Citation: Morton MH, & Montgomery P. (2013). Youth empowerment programs for improving adolescents' self-efficacy and self-esteem: A systematic review. Research on Social Work Practice, 23(1), 22-33. Abstract OBJECTIVES: Assess the state of evidence regarding impacts of youth empowerment programs (YEPs) on adolescents' (ages 10-19) self-efficacy and self-esteem, as well as other social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes. METHOD: Systematic searches of databases combined with an international outreach to identify experimental or quasi-experimental trials of community interventions that regularly involved youths in decision making. RESULTS: Of the 8,789 citations identified, 3 studies met the inclusion criteria. None reported significant effects on the review's primary outcomes. Data from only two studies on self-efficacy could be meta-analyzed (combined N = 167). Results found no significant intervention effect on self-efficacy (z = 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [-0.12, 0.49]). Significant effects were found for some secondary outcomes, but these were inconsistent across studies. CONCLUSIONS: The review reveals insufficient evidence of YEPs' impacts. Further research is needed using well-implemented models with clear theories of change, larger samples, and rigorous impact study designs complemented by mixed-methods process evaluation. Keywords: Adolescents (13-19 years), Community, Mental Health, School, Social Support (e.g., counseling, case management, outreach programs)