None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Stress in the workplace is prevalent, with Australians reporting significantly lower overall workplace wellbeing in 2013 compared to previous years. Psychological injury is now the second most common cause of workplace compensation claims in Australia, and the direct cost to employers is estimated to be greater than $10 billion annual in terms of lost productivity. Thus, from an individual and public health perspective, there is an imperative to implement low risk, economically viable and effective programs to reduce workplace-stress and improve employee outcomes such as productivity, satisfaction and engagement. Mindfulness-based programs have become increasingly popular as a means of targeting enhanced wellness at work as well as combatting negative consequences of excessive workplace stress. Mindfulness involves making a commitment to being fully conscious in the present moment without judgement, in an attitude of openness and acceptance. To date, reviews report a small to moderate effect for mindfulness in reducing multiple negative dimensions of psychological distress including anxiety, depression and appraised stress, although this is not specific for the workplace setting. Further research into the benefit of mindfulness programs in reducing workplace stress and quality of productivity is warranted. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of structured, mindfulness-based program on decreasing work related stress and enhancing workplace wellbeing and engagement in fulltime university employees. Based on current available evidence, we hypothesise that mindfulness-based program participation will: 1. Improve employee work-related outcomes including workplace wellbeing and engagement 2. Reduce employee levels of stress, anxiety and improve mood
Interventions
The intervention period is six weeks, involving one half-day introductory session, followed by five weekly 60-minute face-to-face sessions with a trained instructor. The active intervention is based on an established Stress Release Program developed by staff at Monash University, Melbourne (Hassed & Chambers, 2014). This program, delivered in the format of a small, interactive group, utilises cognitive strategies and reflective activities aimed to reduce stress, and improve wellbeing and resilie
The intervention period is six weeks, involving one half-day introductory session, followed by five weekly 60-minute face-to-face sessions with a trained instructor. The active intervention is based on an established Stress Release Program developed by staff at Monash University, Melbourne (Hassed & Chambers, 2014). This program, delivered in the format of a small, interactive group, utilises cognitive strategies and reflective activities aimed to reduce stress, and improve wellbeing and resilience. Each session commences with a brief mindfulness practice, followed by an introduction to the session topic, an opportunity to reflect on the previous week’s practice, a theoretical component of the session. The main cognitive themes covered in the sessions include: perception and stress; reacting vs. responding to stress; presence of mind; the costs of automatic pilot and multitasking; listening; cultivating curiosity and openness; letting go and acceptance. Between sessions, participants are advised to practise formal mindfulness meditation at least 5 minutes per day and practise informal, mindfulness ‘pauses’ (15-30 seconds) as needed. There is also a homework task related to each weekly topic, which involves identifying unhelpful cognitive patterns in real time as often as possible as they go about their usual daily life. One instructor who has received direct training from the original facilitators will deliver the intervention. Participant compliance is encouraged at each instructional session, and a register of attendees at each session noted. Hassed C & Chambers R (2014) Stress Release Program, accessed at http://www.monash.edu.au/counselling/stress-release-program.html on 30th May 2014
Sponsors
University of Syndey
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Adult (> 18 years old) employees at the University of Sydney willing to commit and consent to the full half day session and subsequent 5, weekly 60-minute sessions.
Exclusion criteria
As a naturalistic study there are no specific exclusion criteria
Outcome results
None listed