The current status and applications of logotherapy and existential analysis: A narrative review

Abstract Purpose Logotherapy and existential analysis, developed by Viktor E. Frankl, is a meaning-centred approach to psychotherapy that emphasises responsibility, freedom, and the human capacity to find meaning in suffering. While it has a well-established theoretical basis, the empirical literature is sporadic and methodologically heterogeneous. The aim of this narrative review was to synthesise conceptual and empirical findings on the clinical, developmental, and cultural applications of logotherapy in contemporary psychological care. Materials/Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted across 17 databases – including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and APA PsycINFO – without date restrictions, covering studies published up to January 2025 in English or Hungarian. Empirical and conceptual studies were included and thematically synthesised based on population, intervention type, therapeutic mechanisms, outcomes, and cultural context. The goal was to identify recurring patterns, theoretical insights, and areas for development. Results The review includes 132 studies spanning clinical populations (e.g., chronic illness, psychiatric conditions, trauma survivors) and non-clinical groups (e.g., adolescents, students, caregivers). Interventions employed core logotherapeutic techniques such as dereflection, attitude modulation, paradoxical intention, and Socratic dialogue, delivered in individual, group-based, and digital formats. Reported outcomes included improved meaning in life, enhanced resilience, reduced depression and anxiety, and augmented existential well-being. Notable innovations included online and culturally embedded adaptations. However, gaps remain, including limited standardisation, the geographical concentration of studies, and insufficient integration with digital health strategies. Conclusions Logotherapy offers a flexible and conceptually rich framework for addressing psychological and existential suffering. It complements other therapeutic modalities by reintroducing meaning, value orientation, and responsibility into care. Future research should prioritise protocol development, digital and multicultural adaptation, and rigorous evaluation to support its evidence-based integration into modern mental health practice.