Web-Based Interventions for Work-Related Stress and Strain: A Scoping Review

Aim of Review: An increasing number of studies have reported on the development and evaluation of web-based interventions for the management of stress in the workplace. However, the literature has yet to be reviewed as this... [ view full abstract ]

Aim of Review:
An increasing number of studies have reported on the development and evaluation of web-based interventions for the management of stress in the workplace. However, the literature has yet to be reviewed as this relates to the design and efficacy of such programmes in the prevention and management of work-related stress and the promotion of employee well-being.

Search and Review Methodology:
A scoping study of published web-based stress management interventions was conducted. Web-based interventions were defined as any intervention delivered via email; website; stand-alone computer programme or smartphone application. Only primary research studies evaluating the efficacy of such programmes and in which participants were recruited from working population were included.

Findings:
Forty-one studies were identified and included for review.

The majority of interventions were ‘Individual’ focused (35/41, 85.37%) and utilised cognitive behavioural; relaxation or mindfulness techniques or Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). The efficacy of such programmes is well-supported by the literature in general.

Three ‘organisational’ and three ‘individual/organisation interface’ focused interventions were also identified. There was limited support for the efficacy of these approaches.

Most interventions (30/41) were atheorectical. The Lazarus & Folkman (1984) Transactional Model of Stress was the only stress-specific model identified, and was used in the design of four intervention programmes.

Poor levels of participant engagement with programme content and high levels of drop-out were identified as key issues which undermined the evaluation of many intervention programme.

Conclusions and Implications:
There is promising evidence that ‘individual’ focused web-based interventions utilising cognitive-behavioural, relaxation, mindfulness and CBT components can be effective for supporting employee well-being and management of worker-stress. There are a lack of programmes which target ‘organisational’ or’ individual/organisational interface’ factors. More research is needed to determine the benefits of theory-based interventions compared to atheoretical programmes, while issues relating to poor participant engagement with web-based stress management interventions need to be further explored.