Addressing psychosocial work-related stress interventions: A systematic review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Work-related stress can be defined as an individual’s reactions to work characteristics and indicates a poor relationship between coping abilities and work environment. If unmanaged, stress can impact mental and physical health (e.g., causing depression and cardiovascular disease). Many individuals use maladaptive stress-coping strategies, such as sedentary activities, unhealthy eating behaviors, and alcohol consumption, which do not contribute to long-term stress management. In contrast, stress reduction programs can help people manage and effectively reduce stress in the long term. OBJECTIVE: To gather the state of the art of work-related stress interventions, their efficacy and applications. METHOD: The PsycINFO and EBSCOHost databases were used. The search was carried out between January 28 and March 30, 2019. Inclusion criteria were full text available, text in English or Spanish and a study population comprising workers. RESULTS: Twenty-nine articles that included interventions involving aromatherapy, bibliotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, exercise, alternative medicine, mindfulness, technology, stress management and sensory intervention were analyzed. The interventions showed significant reductions in stress, anxiety, depression and burnout; however, most of the studies were not based on specific stress models, and control groups often received no intervention whatsoever. As a result, it is challenging to draw conclusions regarding the success of the interventions, especially if they are novel. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that there is a broad portfolio of successful interventions regarding work-related stress. Most of the successful interventions were based on mindfulness; however, aerobic exercise and bibliotherapy may also be successful. The structure and level of evidence appear to be very relevant to the development of a successful intervention.

Efficacy of a Workplace Intervention Program With Web-Based Online and Offline Modalities for Improving Workers' Mental Health

“…In general, these results are consistent with those observed in the literature. In terms of workplace mental health intervention, this trial specifically examined the effects on mental health literacy apart from burnout and stress which are common mental health outcomes of workplace programs ( 35 , 36 ). Randomized Control Trials that focus on multiple aspects, including mental health wellbeing, cognitive understanding, and attitudes toward mental health, are not widely found in the literature.…”

Alcohol Consumption in the Workplace: A Comparison between European Union Countries’ Policies

“…Amantea et al [ 11 ], for example, have pointed out that on the issue of vaccinations and doctors’ responsibilities in the 27 countries of the European Community there are very similar criminal and civil responsibilities; therefore, in the detection of this homogeneity, it appears that it would also be desirable to have a similar condition with regard to the obligations, duties, and responsibilities of the occupational physician in relation to checks for alcohol-related conditions. Furthermore, in a study on the medical liability of vaccinations conducted by Beccia et al [ 12 ], it was noted that medical liability is mainly based on Civil Law, since in their study seven out of eighteen countries were based on Common Law; a more uniform behavior in the European Community should be sought for the medical liability of alcohol controls, as well.…”

“…Many studies have found a significant correlation between workplace stress and high levels of alcohol consumption [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Alcohol use has been shown to increase the risk of unemployment and, for those employed, absenteeism [ 5 ].…”

Digital training for psychosocial risk assessment as an approach to foster primary prevention for SMEs: An evaluation study

“…The goal of current interventions is to adjust the worker to the stressful work environment by focusing on individual change [33]. Individual-focused measures are effective [32,34], however, the dramatic increase in absence rates due to mental health problems indicates that overall this is not the solution to keep a sustainable workforce [35]. The majority of work-related stressors in office work are the result of inadequately designed work organisation and management [21], such as interruptions and multi-tasking demands.…”