Pilot Study of a Positive Psychology Intervention to Reduce Work-Related Stress Among Service Providers in a Drug Abuse Treatment Clinic

Abstract

Service providers in community-based drug abuse treatment and recovery clinics are more likely to experience work-related stress, which has negative repercussions for their mental health, their employing organizations, and their clients. A randomized pretest–posttest research design was utilized to assess the preliminary efficacy of a positive psychology intervention aimed at enhancing psychological capital (PsyCap) to reduce work-related stress experienced by these service providers. Fifty-three service providers were randomly assigned to the immediate group or the delayed intervention group. Results indicated significant postintervention enhancement in PsyCap and reduction in work-related stress. At 1-month follow-up, intervention effects were sustained for PsyCap and work-related stress. Although the intervention appears to be a promising stress management strategy for community-based substance abuse treatment providers, additional research is needed to improve its efficacy, generalizability, and sustainability.