Effectiveness of a Worksite Mindfulness-Related Multi-Component Health Promotion Intervention on Work Engagement and Mental Health: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Jantien Van Berkel,Allard J Van Der Beek,Cécile R L Boot,Karin I Proper,Paulien M Bongers,J David Creswell

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0084118

Jantien Van Berkel, Allard J Van Der Beek + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0084118

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Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a worksite mindfulness-related multi-component health promotion intervention on work engagement, mental health, need for recovery and mindfulness.MethodsIn a randomized controlled trial design, 257 workers of two research institutes participated. The intervention group (n = 129) received a targeted mindfulness-related training, followed by e-coaching. The total duration of the intervention was 6 months. Data on work engagement, mental health, need for recovery and mindfulness were collected using questionnaires at baseline and after 6 and 12 months follow-up. Effects were analyzed using linear mixed effect models.ResultsThere were no significant differences in work engagement, mental health, need for recovery and mindfulness between the intervention and control group after either 6- or 12-months follow-up. Additional analyses in mindfulness-related training compliance subgroups (high and low compliance versus the control group as a reference) and subgroups based on baseline work engagement scores showed no significant differences either.ConclusionsThis study did not show an effect of this worksite mindfulness-related multi-component health promotion intervention on work engagement, mental health, need for recovery and mindfulness after 6 and 12 months.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register NTR2199

Highlights

Over the last decades, increasing automation and globalization have led to a change in daily working life in most sectors in the Western countries
Work engagement was measured on a scale ranging from 0 to 6, with higher scores representing a more favourable work engagement
Means for mindfulness were for both groups at all measurements 4.0, except for the intervention group after 12 months, on a scale of 1 to 6, with higher scores representing more mindfulness. ‘‘Table 3 shows the results of the linear mixed effect models, and the results of linear regression analyses on work engagement, mental health, need for recovery and mindfulness

Summary

Introduction

Over the last decades, increasing automation and globalization have led to a change in daily working life in most sectors in the Western countries. Impaired mental health is the second most frequent cause of absenteeism from work in Europe after musculoskeletal disorders [3,4]. It is one of the leading causes for work disability [3]. Mental health is not merely the absence of disorders but has been defined by the WHO as ‘‘a state of well being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community’’ [5]. Increasing work engagement is potentially beneficial for individual workers as well as their employers and society as a whole

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