A Web-Based Approach to Managing Stress and Mood Disorders in the Workforce

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based multimedia health promotion program for the workplace, designed to help reduce stress and to prevent depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Methods Using a randomized controlled trial design, 309 working adults were randomly assigned to the web-based condition or to a wait-list control condition. All participants were assessed on multiple self-reported outcomes at pretest and posttest. Results Relative to controls, the web-based group reduced their stress, increased their knowledge of depression and anxiety, developed more positive attitudes toward treatment, and adopted a more healthy approach to alcohol consumption. Conclusions We found that a brief and easily adaptable web-based stress management program can simultaneously reduce worker stress and address stigmatized behavioral health problems by embedding this prevention material into a more positive stress management framework.

Depression in the workplace: a systematic review of evidence-based prevention strategies

“…These studies did not include a diagnosis of depression with a validated screening instrument (Bender and Farvolden 2008;Billings et al 2008;Caruso and Myette 2008;Charbonneau et al 2005;Colombi 2005;Davies 2008;Dunnagan et al 2001;Hauck and Chard 2009;Kitchener and Jorm 2004;Langlieb and Kahn 2005;(Millear et al 2008;Nakayama and Amagasa 2004;Renaud et al 2008;Zivin et al 2009). Amongst the 27 unselected studies, one used a control group; however, the study presented a programme in progress with no published results yet (Martin et al 2009b).…”

Substance Misuse Prevention as Corporate Social Responsibility

“…At rescreening, 43% of employees who had been identified as at-risk drinkers were either abstemious or had reduced their consumption to safe levels (Heirich & Sieck, 2000). In an experiment aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of a web-based multimedia health promotion program for the workplace designed to help reduce stress and to prevent substance misuse, Billings and associates randomly assigned 309 working adults to the web-based group or to a wait-list control condition (Billings, Cook, Hendrickson, & Dove, 2008). All participants were assessed on multiple self-reported outcomes during both pretest and posttest evaluations.…”

Developing a Behavioral Health Screening Program for BSL-4 Laboratory Workers at the National Institutes of Health

“…23 The screening procedures are designed to maintain a balance of worker privacy and public safety. The medical screening instruments (depression, anxiety, and substance abuse) are domain-specific and do not elicit individual responses that relate to non-workrelated measures.…”