Australian Workers Research Articles

Australian health care workers experience of PPE related side-effects. A cross-sectional survey.

Protection of health care workers (HCWs) is a fundamental aspect of an effective pandemic response. During the COVID-19 pandemic, frequency, and duration of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use increased. The experience of PPE-related side-effects has potential to contribute to decreased compliance resulting in breaches in infection prevention and increasing risk of HCW exposure. This study aims were to measure the frequency of PPE-related side-effects amongst HCW in Australia, and to establish if an increased frequency of adverse reactions was related to the significant increase in use and extended duration of time spent in PPE. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used. Of the 559 respondents the majority were female (83.7%), aged 31-45 years old (33.6%). A pre-existing skin condition was reported by 266 (47.6%). Frequency of PPE related side-effects were: pressure-related 401 (71.7%), skin 321 (57.4%) and respiratory 20 (3.6%). Surgical mask use was significantly associated with pre-exiting skin conditions (β = 1.494 (SE 0.186), df (1), p < 0.001). Side effects to N95 respirator use was more commonly reported by staff working in COVID-19 high-risk areas (β = 0.572 (SE 0.211), df (1), p = 0.007) independent of work duration (β = -0.056 (SE 0.075), df (1), p = 0.456), and pre-existing skin conditions (β = 1.272, (SE.198), df (1), p < 0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant increase in the use of PPE. While the preventative benefits of PPE are significant, adverse events related to PPE use are frequently reported by HCW. Findings in this study highlight the need for innovation in PPE design to maximize protection while decreasing adverse effects and maintaining adhere to use.

Fale Pili: a Tuvaluan perspective on mobility justice

ABSTRACT This paper suggests that the Indigenous Tuvaluan concept of fale pili, looking after one’s neighbour as if they were family, must be centralised in understandings of mobility justice for Tuvaluan people. While the risks of sea level rise to Tuvalu’s low-lying national territory are well-recognised, the culturally specific ways in which Tuvaluans perceive and experience mobility are not. From a fale pili perspective, mobility is a way of enacting family, fenua (indigenous island within Tuvalu) and responsibilities to the Tuvaluan (political) community. Conceived in this way, Tuvaluan mobility does not primarily see migrant-as-individual; rather the migrant is always a representative of, and contributor towards, collective wellbeing of family, fenua and nation. Our paper is structured as follows. First, we discuss the importance of approaching both mobility and mobility justice as culturally specific concepts that are scripted and experienced by different peoples in different ways. To do so, we read contemporary theorisations of mobility (in)justice, and encourage attention to understanding the cosmological dimensions of contemporary (global) life that a critical civilisational perspective affords. Drawing on two case-studies of fale pili, one involving urban-rural migration in Tuvalu during the COVID-19 pandemic, and one involving Tuvaluan guest workers in Australia, we suggest that fale pili offers an approach to understanding mobility justice as culturally and geographically situated. By way of conclusion, we also consider the ways that fale pili can contribute to wider debates on mobility (in)justice in turbulent times.

A novel methodological approach to participant engagement and policy relevance for community-based primary medical care research during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and New Zealand.

Community-based primary care, such as general practice (GP) or urgent care, serves as the primary point of access to healthcare for most Australians and New Zealanders. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created significant and ongoing disruptions to primary care. Traditional research methods have contributed to gaps in understanding the experiences of primary care workers during the pandemic. This paper describes a novel research design and method that intended to capture the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary care workers in Australia and New Zealand. Recurrent, rapid cycle surveys were fielded from May 2020 through December 2021 in Australia, and May 2020 through February 2021 in New Zealand. Rapid survey development, fielding, triangulated analysis and dissemination of results allowed close to real-time communication of relevant issues among general practice workers, researchers and policy-makers. A conceptual model is presented to support longitudinal analysis of primary care worker experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and New Zealand, and key learnings from applying this novel method are discussed. This paper will assist future research teams in development and execution of policy-relevant research in times of change and may inform further areas of interest for COVID-19 research in primary care.

Non‐negligible levels of implicit skin tone bias among Australian healthcare workers between 2007 and 2022: Analysis of subgroups and trends over time based on Project Implicit data

AbstractImplicit (i.e. unconscious) racial biases held by health professionals negatively affect patient–practitioner communication and health outcomes. Implicit biases are typically assessed through implicit association tests (IATs). We extracted cross‐sectional IAT data originating in Australia from two large publicly available data sets hosted by Project Implicit. In total, IATs were available from 1956 healthcare workers (1249 of European ethnicity; 829 professionals/technicians as opposed to support workers). All had participated between 2006 and 2022. Levels of implicit skin tone bias were found to be moderate according to Project Implicit guidelines and substantially greater than zero (d = 0.87). Participants of European ethnicity and older age scored higher, but there were no differences across occupation types (professional vs. support worker) or over years. Consistent with findings around the world, the findings highlight a need for interventions that could reduce implicit bias and thereby improve the healthcare experiences of people from minority groups.

Healthcare workers’ perceptions of strategies supportive of their mental health

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing stressors and created additional challenges for healthcare workers, such as increased workload, rapidly changing policies and procedures, resource and workforce shortages and work-life imbalance. This study examined what frontline healthcare workers consider to be the organisational strategies needed to support their mental health and wellbeing during crisis events. Methods: The Australian COVID-19 Frontline Health Workers Survey, a national, anonymous online survey of health care workers, was conducted between August-October 2020, during the second wave of the Australian COVID-19 outbreak. Drawing on participant responses collected as part of this survey, we analysed thematically the free-text question, ‘What strategies might be helpful to assist frontline healthcare workers during future crisis events like pandemics, disasters, etc.?’ Results: A total of 5527 healthcare workers responded to the free-text question asking about support strategies for future crises. Findings highlighted the challenges experienced by frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and outlined suggestions for organisational strategies to support the mental health of the health workforce long-term. Specifically, four key themes that linked organisational support strategies to organisational culture were identified. These were: Workplace structures to support a mentally healthy work environment; Supportive leadership and management; Strengthening a sense of community to support mental health; and Organisational culture normalising mental health support. Conclusions: The key message from this research is that organisational strategies that enact a supportive work culture, rather than a focus on individuals alone, are required to protect the mental health of healthcare workers in the future.

The Types of Scholarly Publications Produced by Australian Social Work Researchers

ABSTRACT The publication of social work research and scholarship is integral to generating and disseminating knowledge for the profession and the human services field. Previous research has found a large proportion of nonresearch articles in social work journals, but there has been little exploration of the nature of this scholarship. Using a scoping review method supplemented by analysis of national research assessment output data, this study examined the quantity, format, and characteristics of scholarly publications between 2010–2020 by Australian social workers. It found they produced proportionately more journal articles than other disciplines and relatively fewer books and book chapters. Of 1,389 Australian social work articles published in top-cited social work journals, 821 (59.1%) were research articles. Of the nonresearch articles, almost half provided an analysis of policy or practice without stating a method. Understanding the scope of social work research provides a foundation for reflection on the discipline’s research endeavours. IMPLICATIONS Information about the scope of social work research is useful for developing both individual and disciplinary research strategy. A clear statement of method that describes the processes used for observation and analysis would enhance the quality of nonresearch social work publications.

Integrating career, health, and finance in a holistic retirement planning intervention for Australian older workers

Abstract Inadequate retirement planning has negative consequences for individuals and society. Interventions to improve more informed planning often focus primarily on financial aspects, with the timing of workplace exit and health considerations ignored leaving retirees at risk of poor adjustment. A six-stage intervention was developed consisting of three online modules (career, health, and finance) combined with individual consultations that aimed to assist older workers (N = 829, Mage = 57.09, female = 68%) to make more considered decisions about retirement. A randomized control study using four groups (modules only, modules-plus-consultations [holistic], finance only, and a control) was employed. Holistic group participants completed three online modules, completed a general health check, and spoke to a career consultant, as well as a financial consultant. Compared with the control group, mixed-effects regressions showed improved intervention outcomes across all three experimental groups. Of these, the holistic group had the largest number of significant outcomes including increased workplace exit perceptions, financial decision-making, and career and finance goal processes. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of integrating online modules with retirement consultations to optimize retirement decision-making.

FC41: Music-assisted reminiscence therapy: Feasibility and use in practice

Objective:Reminiscence therapy is the examination of past memories to improve current mood and psychological functioning and is an evidence-based treatment for symptoms of late life psychological distress. Music is sometimes used in such therapy to prompt or enhance the recollection of memories; however, there is limited empirical research on the use and value of using music in reminiscence therapy. This presentation will discuss the findings of two studies exploring the feasibility and use of verbal reminiscence therapy (VRT) and music-assisted reminiscence therapy (MRT) from the perspectives of the older adult and the staff who care for them.Method:Study one surveyed 110 Australian workers in aged care to explore the extent to which VRT and MRT were used, how such interventions were delivered and viewed, and the benefits. Study two randomly assigned 8 older adults experiencing psychological distress to a single session of VRT or MRT. Pre and post measures of affect, memory experience, and a brief satisfaction interview were collected, along with measures of treatment fidelity.Results:For staff, simple reminiscence was the most frequently used approach across both VRT and MRT. Staff reported that both VRT and MRT are viewed as successful and regularly used interventions, that occur in spontaneous and creative ways in response to older clients’ needs. Staff reported outcomes such as enhanced social connections, improved affect and mood, and better care practices. Older adults reported that that VRT and MRT were equally acceptable and well tolerated. A pre-post pattern of improvement was observed for affect following VRT, and particularly MRT, suggesting both as promising interventions. MRT resulted in higher scores on memory experience characteristics such as vividness, coherence, and accessibility. The high treatment fidelity achieved in this study indicates that the interventions can be successfully implemented with this population.Conclusion:VRT and particularly MRT were viewed as successful, feasibility and acceptable interventions by older adults experiencing psychological distress, and direct care staff in Australia. These preliminary findings indicated MRT may provide therapeutic changes above and beyond VRT for older adults, and therefore large-scale clinical trials are warranted.

Australian Mental Health Social Workers’ Experiences of Burnout

ABSTRACT Mental health practice is recognised as emotionally demanding and complex. Social workers and others working in this field of practice may be susceptible to stress and burnout. This study explored Australian social workers’ stories of burnout when working in the mental health sector. In the qualitative study described here, the method used was in-depth interviews to narratively understand and organise the experiences of 10 Australian mental health social workers who had a self-identified experience of burnout. Findings indicated that although there are individual and contextual aspects of burnout, mental health social workers would feel most supported by organisations implementing structured burnout prevention practices, including mandating supervision and regulating caseloads. These insights contribute to the profession’s understanding of burnout as experienced by Australian mental health social workers and may benefit practitioners and organisations to reduce the risk of burnout in future social work practice. IMPLICATIONS Mental health social work is emotionally demanding and social workers working in the sector may experience high levels of stress and burnout. Burnout is a stress-induced phenomenon that is multi-dimensional, yet many social workers are expected to manage this issue through individually structured practices such as self-care. Organisations need to take a stronger and more systemic approach to proactively prevent and respond to worker burnout in mental health work.

Diagnosis and management of sleep disorders in shift workers, with patient informed solutions to improve health services research and practice

BackgroundThe combination of shift work and an unmanaged sleep disorder carries health and safety risks. Yet, diagnosis rates for sleep disorders are low in shift workers. The aim of this study was to understand the experience of sleep disorder diagnosis and treatment in shift workers, and consider patient informed solutions to improve access to health services. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 Australian shift workers with a diagnosed sleep disorder. Patient journey mapping and reflexive thematic analysis were used to understand diagnosis and management experiences. ResultsThere were highly variable experiences with diagnosis and management, often taking >5 years to seek help from a health care provider (HCP) after noticing symptoms of a sleep disorder. Three themes were constructed, including ‘the cause of the problem’, ‘prioritising work’, and ‘(dis)satisfaction and (dis)connection’. Extent of patient and HCP awareness of sleep disorders, and a prevailing attitude of shift work being ‘the problem’ impacted diagnosis, as did organisational needs (including rostering, which had both positive and negative influences on help seeking). Relationships with HCPs were important, and living on non-standard time was both a barrier and an enabler to sleep disorder care. Participants identified the need for education and awareness, prompts and easy access to screening and referral pathways, and tailored models of care. ConclusionEducation and awareness initiatives for shift workers, their employers and HCPs, together with development of a model of care for shift workers with sleep disorders may address some of the unique barriers to diagnosis and management.

The experience of Australian aged care workers during a trial implementation of a palliative care outcomes programme.

End of life care is an essential part of the role of Australian aged care homes (ACHs). However, there is no national framework to support aged care staff in systematically identifying residents with palliative care needs or to routinely assess, respond to, and measure end of life needs. The Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (PCOC) is a national outcomes and benchmarking programme which aims to systematically improve palliative care for people who are approaching the end of life, and for their families and carers. The PCOC Wicking Model for Residential Aged Care was developed and piloted in four Australian ACHs. This paper reports on the qualitative findings from semi-structured interviews and focus groups conducted with ACH staff (N=37) to examine feasibility. Thematic analysis identified three overarching themes about the pilot: (i) processes to successfully prepare and support ACHs; (ii) appropriateness of PCOC tools for the ACH setting; and (iii) realised and potential benefits of the model for ACHs. The lessons presented valuable insights to refine the PCOC Wicking Model and enrich understanding of the potential challenges and solutions for implementing similar programs within ACHs in future. The results suggest that key to successfully preparing ACHs for implementation of the PCOC Wicking Model is an authentic and well-paced collaborative approach with ACHs to ensure the resources, structures and systems are in place and appropriate for the setting. The PCOC Wicking Model for Residential Aged Care is a promising prototype to support ACHs in improving palliative and end of life care outcomes for residents and their carers.

Workers with Lived and Living Experience: Characteristics and Wellbeing in the Australian AOD Sector

Introduction: Little data exists examining workers with lived/living experience of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use who are not in designated peer roles. The prevalence of these workers within the national workforce, and their levels of wellbeing, are currently unknown. The current study therefore explored the prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of wellbeing among workers with different types of lived experience (personal vs family/other) compared to those without any reported lived experience. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of the Australian AOD workforce. Group differences were explored on variables of interest via frequency statistics, χ2 tests of independence, multivariate analysis of variance, and linear regression. Results: Of the 986 AOD workers in direct client service roles, 2.4% were in a designated peer role, but 67.2% reported lived experience (34.5% personal lived experience and 32.8% family/other lived experience). Substantial proportions had not disclosed their lived experience to their workplace (27.4% with personal lived experience and 43.3% with other lived experience). Wellbeing (i.e., levels of burnout and engagement) did not differ significantly between groups. Predictors of wellbeing across all three groups included age, work intensity (e.g., heavy workloads), and finding work to be personally meaningful; additional differences between groups were also identified. Discussion: More than two-thirds of AOD workers in Australia have some form of lived experience, however this is not reflected in the number of peer roles. Initiatives that reach all workers with lived experience are required to safeguard their wellbeing, enhance recruitment and retention, and support best practice.

A longitudinal examination of the role of social identity in supporting health and well-being in retirement.

Social factors are major determinants of the success of retirement transitions. However, we do not yet fully understand the nature and basis of this impact, particularly as it relates to social group belonging. To address this issue the present article investigated the role that social group memberships play in supporting people's health and well-being in the early phase of transitioning to retirement. More specifically, we drew on the social identity model of identity change (SIMIC) to examine two pathways in which social group processes are theorized to influence adjustment to life change-social identity continuity and social identity gain. To test these pathways, a sample of Australian workers who had transitioned to retirement in the last 12 months (N = 170) were surveyed about their (a) preretirement multiple group memberships and postretirement maintained and new group memberships and (b) their perceived physical health, mental health, and life satisfaction after retirement. While preretirement group memberships did not affect retirement outcomes directly, they supported them indirectly by enabling people both to maintain some existing group memberships and to gain some new group memberships postretirement; as predicted by SIMIC. These findings confirm the importance of social factors and of social group membership in particular, for retiree health and well-being. Theoretically, they support the generalizability of SIMIC and its capacity to explain adjustment to diverse life changes including retirement. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Investigating the longitudinal impacts of frontline work on healthcare workers family functioning

Abstract Background At a time when many families were sheltering at home, frontline healthcare workers (FHWs) worldwide continued to work in the community, often under significant stress. While it has been well documented that frontline work during the COVID-19 pandemic has had impacts on healthcare workers’ mental and physical health, the impacts on their family functioning remain unclear. This study investigates the longitudinal impact of frontline work on family functioning amongst Australian healthcare workers. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Australian FHWs working in high-risk areas such as Emergency Departments, Intensive Care Units, COVID wards, Hospital in the Home, and Aged Care. Interviews occurred across three timepoints (Dec 2020=39 participants, June 2021=34 participants, Jan 2022=31 participants). Transcripts from each timepoint were analysed separately using reflexive thematic analysis, then whole group comparisons were made between timepoints to identify changes and the nature of the changes. Results Flexibility and the need for constant adaptation were consistent themes across the three timepoints, as FHWs struggled to balance the demands of workplace changes alongside lockdown and COVID-19 related changes in their personal lives. In the early stages of the pandemic, families with pre-existing vulnerabilities reported significant challenges whereas others reflected on family resilience and growth. Two years on, even those families that articulated resilience and growth have observed declines associated with the persistent demands of their healthcare roles. Conclusions While healthcare organisations globally have made efforts to support their staff, these challenges observed by participants highlights the need for more targeted workplace and public health strategies within healthcare systems, particularly with respect to family support. Key messages • Healthcare workers have faced considerable challenges through the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, with declines in mental health and family functioning observed. • Beyond resilience and wellbeing interventions, healthcare workers need workplaces that acknowledge and support their family lives.

A qualitative analysis of self-reported suicide gatekeeper competencies and behaviour within the Australian construction industry.

Construction workers in Australia have suicide rates 84% higher than other workers, with even higher rates for younger and less-skilled workers. Gatekeeper training (GKT) is a suicide prevention strategy that aims to improve knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy to identify and assist individuals at risk of suicide. However, the impact of GKT on long-term behaviour and suicide prevention is unclear in the construction industry. Researchers conducted 22 semi-structured interviews with trained Bluehats, who provide support to their colleagues in the construction industry experiencing mental health difficulties and suicidal distress. Participants reported high levels of motivation and capability due to lived experience of mental health problems or suicide, training, satisfaction from helping others and feeling valued in their work environment. The study highlighted the importance of physical and social opportunities for participants to support their colleagues. The findings reinforced the need to integrate GKT within comprehensive industry suicide prevention programs that provide a range of interventions for workers and ongoing support to trainees to translate their skills into behaviour. Future GKT should include behaviour change approaches to identify and target contextual and individual-level factors influencing behaviour. SO WHAT?: Understanding the potential and limitations of GKT within the construction industry offers invaluable insights for health promotion. Integrating GKT with holistic prevention programs could lead to more impactful strategies, potentially reducing the high suicide rates and fostering a healthier work environment in the construction sector.

Systematic review of Indigenous cultural safety training interventions for healthcare professionals in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States

ObjectiveTo synthesise and appraise the design and impact of peer-reviewed evaluations of Indigenous cultural safety training programmes and workshops for healthcare workers in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and/or the United...

Being Present and Meaningful Engagement for Aged Care Residents Living With Dementia: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Australian Care Worker's Experiences.

Meaningful engagement is essential for aged care residents living with dementia. Our knowledge pertaining to caring presence for residents living with dementia is limited. This study aims to understand care workers' experiences of providing care to residents, the challenges they face in being present with residents and support that enable them to be more present and provide person-centered care. A mixed-methods approach using surveys and semi-structured interviews with care workers from three Australian residential aged care homes was adopted. Surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Open-ended survey responses and interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Twenty-six care workers completed surveys and a subset (n = 8) participated in interviews. Survey participants were largely positive about their role and reported that they loved caring for and making a difference in the lives of residents. Three themes emerged from interviews: (a) trust, connection, and the complexities of maintaining engagement; (b) time as gift and challenge; (c) organizational culture, structure and resources, and enabling carer presence. Care workers in our study expressed their desire to be present with residents and stated that enablers such as meaningfully engaging with residents was one of the most enjoyable aspects of their work. Barriers such as staff shortages, competing demands of the role, and time-related impediments to being present were reported. Addressing challenges to being present with residents living with dementia is key to help avoiding poor care practices and resident outcomes.

Modeling antecedents of safety compliance of construction workers in Australia: a perspective of trait activation theory

PurposeConstruction workers’ safety compliance is attracting considerable critical attention as it plays a decisive role in improving safety on construction sites. This study applied the concept of differentiating safety compliance into deep compliance (DC) and surface compliance (SC) and relied on trait activation theory to investigate the effects of situational awareness (SA) and emotional intelligence (EI) on safety compliance.Design/methodology/approachCross-sectional survey data were collected from 239 construction workers in Australia, and these responses were statistically analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to validate the proposed model.FindingsResults revealed that both EI and SA positively impacted DC and negatively impacted SC. Moreover, SA partially mediated the link between EI and two types of safety compliance (DC and SC). The outcomes showed that construction workers’ ability in regulating their emotions could influence their perception of environmental cues and the effectiveness of safety compliance behavior.Originality/valueThis study sheds light on investigating the antecedents of DC and SC from the perspective of trait activation theory. The findings also have practical implications, stating that construction site managers or safety professionals should consider providing training on construction workers’ EI and SA to enhance their willingness to expend conscious efforts in complying with safety rules and procedures, which can lead to improved safety outcomes.

Typologies of interactions between abortion seekers and healthcare workers in Australia: a qualitative study exploring the impact of stigma on quality of care

BackgroundAbortion stigma involves the stereotyping of, discrimination against, and delegitimization of those who seek and provide abortion. Experiences of abortion care are shaped by stigma at the meso (e.g., lack of local providers) and macro (e.g., abortion regulations) levels. Yet abortion stigma and quality of care are often examined separately. This study sought to articulate the impact of abortion stigma on quality of care in the context of healthcare interactions. It did so by characterizing the features of stigmatizing and non-stigmatizing care in the context of macro-level stigma and other structural factors that influence abortion-seeking experiences, including the coronavirus pandemic’s influence on the health system.MethodsThis qualitative study comprised in-depth interviews with people who sought abortion across Australia between March 2020 and November 2022, recruited through social media and flyers in clinics. Thematic analysis drew on concepts of micro, meso, and macro stigma and person-centered care. We developed typologies of the interactions between abortion seekers and healthcare workers by analytically grouping together negative and positive experiences to characterize features of stigmatizing and and non-stigmatizing care in the context of macro-level influences.ResultsWe interviewed 24 abortion seekers and developed five typologies of stigmatizing care: creating barriers; judging; ignoring emotional and information needs; making assumptions; and minimizing interactions. There are five corresponding positive typologies. Macro-level factors, from abortion regulations to rural and pandemic-related health system pressures, contributed to poor experiences in care.ConclusionsThe positive experiences in this study illustrate how a lack of stigma enables patient-centered care. The negative experiences reflect the interrelationship between stigmatizing beliefs among healthcare workers, macro-level (policy and regulatory) abortion stigma, and structural health service limitations exacerbated during the pandemic. Interventions are needed to reduce stigmatizing interactions between abortion seekers and healthcare workers, and should also consider macro-level factors that influence the behaviors of healthcare workers and experiences of abortion seekers. Without addressing stigma at multiple levels, equitable access to high-quality abortion care will be difficult to achieve. Efforts to integrate stigma reduction into quality improvement have relevance for maternal and reproductive health services globally.

A randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of self-reflective writing focused on successful and unsuccessful coping experiences on resilience.

Evidence supports the effectiveness of self-reflective training approaches for the development of resilience. Building this work, the objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the focus of coping self-reflective activities on resilience by applying a self-reflection approach to a sample of 254 Australian ministry workers. This randomized controlled trial included three attention-matched conditions: (1) self-reflective writing focused on successful coping, (2) self-reflective writing focused on unsuccessful coping or (3) written descriptions of stressor events alone. Participants were assessed across four time points: prior to, immediately post, 3-months, and 6-months after the intervention. Results demonstrated that self-reflective writing was more effective in enhancing perceived resilience than descriptive writing. Analyses also showed greater maintenance of beneficial effects in the successful self-reflection condition, compared to the unsuccessful condition. These findings support the use of self-reflection training to strengthen individuals' psychological resilience, particularly when focused on successful coping situations for those who initially experience more ruminative thought.