Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

The effect of an organizational level participatory intervention in secondary vocational education on work-related health outcomes: results of a controlled trial

Authors: Roosmarijn M. C. Schelvis, Noortje M. Wiezer, Allard J. van der Beek, Jos W. R. Twisk, Ernst T. Bohlmeijer, Karen M. Oude Hengel

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2017

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Work-related stress is highly prevalent in the educational sector. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an organizational level, participatory intervention on need for recovery and vitality in educational workers. It was hypothesized that the intervention would decrease need for recovery and increase vitality.

Methods

A quasi-experiment was conducted at two secondary Vocational Education and Training schools (N = 356) with 12- and 24-months follow-up measurements. The intervention consisted of 1) a needs assessment phase, wherein staff and teachers developed actions for happy and healthy working under supervision of a facilitator, and 2) an implementation phase, wherein these actions were implemented by the management teams. Mixed model analysis was applied in order to assess the differences between the intervention and control group on average over time. All analyses were corrected for baseline values and several covariates.

Results

No effects of the intervention were found on need for recovery, vitality and most of the secondary outcomes. Two small, statistically significant effects were in unfavorable direction: the intervention group scored on average over time significantly lower on absorption (i.e. a subscale of work engagement) and organizational efficacy than the control group.

Conclusions

Since no beneficial effects of this intervention were found on the primary and most of the secondary outcomes, further implementation of the intervention in its current form is not eligible. We recommend that future organizational level interventions for occupational health 1) incorporate an elaborate implementation strategy, 2) are more specific in relating actions to stressors in the context, and 3) are integrated with secondary preventive, individual focused stress management interventions.

Trial registration

Netherlands Trial Register NTR3284 (date registered: February 14 2012).
Literature
1.
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living. Fourth European working conditions survey, European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. 2007.
2.
Yang X, Wang L, Ge C, Hu B, Chi T. Factors associated with occupational strain among Chinese teachers: a cross-sectional study. Public Health. 2011;125(2):106–13.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Al-Mohannadi A, Capel S. Stress in physical education teachers in Qatar. Soc Psychol Educ. 2007;10(1):55–75.CrossRef
4.
Klassen R, Wilson E, Siu AFY, Hannok W, Wong MW, Wongsri N, Sonthisap P, Pibulchol C, Buranachaitavee Y, Jansem A. Preservice teachers’ work stress, self-efficacy, and occupational commitment in four countries. Eur J Psychol Educ. 2013;28(4):1289–309.CrossRef
5.
Smith A, Brice C, Collins A, McNamara R, Matthews V. Scale of occupational stress: a further analysis of the impact of demographic factors and type of job. 2000. Contract Research Report 311/2000.
6.
van Zwieten MHJ, de Vroome EMM, Mol MEM, Mars GMJ, Koppes LLJ, van den Bossche SNJ. Nationale Enquête Arbeidsomstandigheden 2013: Methodologie en globale resultaten. [Netherlands Working Conditions Survey 2013: Methodology and overall results]. Hoofddorp: TNO; 2014.
7.
8.
Schaufeli WB, Bakker AB, Salanova M. The measurement of work engagement with a short questionnaire: A cross-national study. Educ Psychol Meas. 2006;66(4):701–16.CrossRef
9.
10.
Demerouti E, Nachreiner F, Bakker AB, Schaufeli WB. The job demands-resources model of burnout. J Appl Psychol. 2001;86(3):499–512.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Easthope C, Easthope G. Intensification, extension and complexity of teachers’ workload. Br J Sociol Educ. 2000;21(1):43–58.CrossRef
12.
Howe J. Nine 'til Three? Not Likely! Teacher: The National Education Magazine. 2005. p. 41–3.
13.
Fink D. The law of unintended consequences: the ‘real’ cost of top-down reform. J Educ Chang. 2003;4(2):105–8.CrossRef
14.
Karasek Jr RA. Job demands, job decision latitude, and mental strain: Implications for job redesign. Adm Sci Q. 1979;285–308.
15.
Schaufeli WB, Taris TW. A critical review of the job demands-resources model: implications for improving work and health. In: Bauer GF, Hämmig O, editors. Bridging occupational, organizational and public health: a transdisciplinary approach. Dordrecht: Springer Science+Business Media; 2014. p. 43.
16.
Maslach C. Job Burnout: New Directions in Research and Intervention. Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2003;12(5):189–92.CrossRef
17.
Hakanen JJ, Bakker AB, Schaufeli WB. Burnout and work engagement among teachers. J School Psychol. 2006;43(6):495–513.CrossRef
18.
Giga SI, Cooper CL, Faragher B. The Development of a Framework for a Comprehensive Approach to Stress Management Interventions at Work. Int J Stress Manag. 2003;10(4):280–96.CrossRef
19.
Caulfield N, Chang D, Dollard MF, Elshaug C. A review of occupational stress interventions in Australia. Int J Stress Manag. 2004;11(2):149–66.CrossRef
20.
Unterbrink T, Pfeifer R, Krippeit L, Zimmermann L, Rose U, Joos A, Hartmann A, Wirsching M, Bauer J. Burnout and effort-reward imbalance improvement for teachers by a manual-based group program. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2012;85(6):667–74.CrossRefPubMed
21.
Gold E, Smith A, Hopper I, Herne D, Tansey G, Hulland C. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for primary school teachers. J Child Fam Stud. 2010;19(2):184–9.CrossRef
22.
Franco C, Mañas I, Cangas AJ, Moreno E, Gallego J. Reducing teachers’ psychological distress through a mindfulness training program. Span J Psychol. 2010;13(2):655–66.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Poulin PA, Mackenzie CS, Soloway G, Karayolas E. Mindfulness training as an evidenced-based approach to reducing stress and promoting well-being among human services professionals. Int J Health Promot Educ. 2008;46(2):72–80.CrossRef
24.
Zołnierczyk-Zreda D. An intervention to reduce work-related burnout in teachers. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2005;11(4):423–30.CrossRefPubMed
25.
Lamontagne AD, Keegel T, Louie AM, Ostry A, Landsbergis PA. A systematic review of the job-stress intervention evaluation literature, 1990–2005. Int J Occup Environ Health. 2007;13(3):268–80.CrossRefPubMed
26.
27.
Richardson KM, Rothstein HR. Effects of Occupational Stress Management Intervention Programs: A Meta-Analysis. J Occup Health Psychol. 2008;13(1):69–93.CrossRefPubMed
28.
Nielsen K, Randall R, Holten A, González ER. Conducting organizational-level occupational health interventions: What works? Work Stress. 2010;24(3):234–59.CrossRef
29.
Bandura A. Social foundations of thought and action : a social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall; 1986.
30.
Bandura A. Cultivate self-efficacy for personal and organizational effectiveness. In: Locke EA, editor. Handbook of principles of organizational behavior : indispensable knowledge for evidence-based management. Chichester, Sussex; [Hoboken]: John Wiley & Sons; 2009. p. 120–36.
31.
32.
Consiglio C, Borgogni L, Alessandri G, Schaufeli WB. Does self-efficacy matter for burnout and sickness absenteeism? The mediating role of demands and resources at the individual and team levels. Work Stress. 2013;27(1):22–42.CrossRef
33.
Schelvis RMC, Oude Hengel KM, Wiezer NM, Blatter BM, Van Genabeek JAGM, Bohlmeijer ET, Van Der Beek AJ. Design of the bottom-up innovation project - a participatory, primary preventive, organizational level intervention on work-related stress and well-being for workers in dutch vocational education. BMC Public Health. 2013;13(1):491–503.CrossRef
34.
Baarda DB, de Goede MPM. Basisboek Methoden en technieken: handleiding voor het opzetten en uitvoeren van kwantitatief onderzoek. 4th ed. Groningen: Wolters-Noordhoff; 2006.
35.
Schaufeli WB, Salanova M, González-Roma V, Bakker AB. The measurement of engagement and burnout: a two sample confirmatory factor analytic approach. J Happiness Stud. 2002;3:71–92.CrossRef
36.
Seppälä P, Mauno S, Feldt T, Hakanen J, Kinnunen U, Tolvanen A, Schaufeli W. The construct validity of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale: Multisample and longitudinal evidence. J Happiness Stud. 2009;10(4):459–81.CrossRef
37.
Karasek R, Brisson C, Kawakami N, Houtman I, Bongers P, Amick B. The Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ): an instrument for internationally comparative assessments of psychosocial job characteristics. J Occup Health Psychol. 1998;3(4):322–55.CrossRefPubMed
38.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven. Handleiding Welzijnscheck Onderwijspersoneel. Heerlen: Stichting Vervangingsfonds en Bedrijfsgezondheidszorg voor het Onderwijs; 2007.
39.
Kraan KO, Bakhuys Roozeboom MC, Wiezer NM. Kwaliteit ‘Welzijnscheck Onderwijspersoneel’ en Validiteit Afkappunten. Hoofddorp: TNO; 2010.
40.
Tuomi K, Ilmarinen J, Jahkola A. Work ability index. 2nd ed. Helsinki: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health; 1998.
41.
Ahlstrom L, Grimby-Ekman A, Hagberg M, Dellve L. The work ability index and single-item question: Associations with sick leave, symptoms, and health - A prospective study of women on long-term sick leave. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2010;36(5):404–12.CrossRefPubMed
42.
El Fassi M, Bocquet V, Majery N, Lair ML, Couffignal S, Mairiaux P. Work ability assessment in a worker population: comparison and determinants of Work Ability Index and Work Ability score. BMC Public Health. 2013;13(1):305.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
43.
Radkiewicz P, Widerszal-Bazyl M. Psychometric properties of Work Ability Index in the light of comparative survey study. Int Congr Ser. 2005;1280:304–9.CrossRef
44.
Koppes LLJ, De Vroome EMM, Mol MEM, Janssen BJM, van den Bossche SNJ. Netherlands Working Conditions Survey 2010: Methodology and overall results. Hoofddorp: TNO; 2011.
45.
Dhondt S, Houtman ILD. NIPG research questionnaire Job Content-WEBA (NOVA-WEBA): construction and a first test on reliability and validity. Leiden: Nederlands Instituut voor Praeventieve Gezondheidszorg TNO; 1992.
46.
Houtman ILD, Bloemhoff A, Dhondt S, Terwee T. WEBA and NOVA-WEBA in relation to health and well-being of employees. Leiden: Nederlands Instituut voor Praeventieve Gezondheidszorg TNO; 1994.
47.
Kraan KO, Dhondt S, Houtman ILD, Nelemans R, De Vroome EMM. Handleiding NOVA-WEBA. Een vragenlijst om arbeidsorganisatorische knelpunten op te sporen. Hoofddorp: TNO Arbeid; 2000.
48.
Schyns B, Von Gernot C. A new occupational self-efficacy and its relation to personality constructs and organizational variables. Eur J Work Organ Psychol. 2002;11(2):219–41.CrossRef
49.
Rigotti T, Schyns B, Mohr G. A short version of the occupational self-efficacy scale: Structural and construct validity across five countries. J Career Assess. 2008;16(2):238–55.CrossRef
50.
Van Vuuren M, Elving WJ, De Jong MDT, Seysel ER. What keeps you here? Organizational efficacy and person-organization fit as antecedents organizational commitment. In: Van Vuuren HA, editor. Why work? The contribution of value perceptions and efficacy expectations to organizational commitment. 2006. p. 121–47.
51.
Twisk JWR. Longitudinal data analysis. A comparison between generalized estimating equations and random coefficient analysis. Eur J Epidemiol. 2004;19(8):769–76.CrossRefPubMed
52.
Twisk JW. Applied multilevel analysis: a practical guide. New York: Cambridge University Press; 2006.
53.
Twisk J, Proper K. Evaluation of the results of a randomized controlled trial: how to define changes between baseline and follow-up. J Clin Epidemiol. 2004;57(3):223–8.CrossRefPubMed
54.
Schelvis RM, Wiezer NM, Blatter BM, van Genabeek JA, Oude Hengel KM, Bohlmeijer ET, van der Beek, Allard J. Evaluating the implementation process of a participatory organizational level occupational health intervention in schools. BMC Public Health. 2016;16(1):1212.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
55.
van Berkel J, Boot CR, Proper KI, Bongers PM, van der Beek, Allard J. Effectiveness of a worksite mindfulness-related multi-component health promotion intervention on work engagement and mental health: results of a randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2014;9(1):e84118.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
56.
Coffeng JK, Boot CR, Duijts SF, Twisk JW, van Mechelen W, Hendriksen IJ. Effectiveness of a worksite social & physical environment intervention on need for recovery, physical activity and relaxation; results of a randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2014;9(12):e114860.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
57.
Naghieh A, Montgomery P, Bonell CP, Thompson M, Aber JL. Organisational interventions for improving wellbeing and reducing work-related stress in teachers. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;8(4):1–70.
58.
Montano D, Hoven H, Siegrist J. Effects of organisational-level interventions at work on employees’ health: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2014;14:135-2458-14-135.CrossRef
59.
Ruotsalainen JH, Verbeek JH, Mariné A, Serra C. Preventing occupational stress in healthcare workers. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;8(12):1–152.
60.
Michie S, Williams S. Reducing work related psychological ill health and sickness absence: a systematic literature review. Occup Environ Med. 2003;60(1):3–9.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
61.
Schelvis R, Oude Hengel K, Burdorf A, Blatter B, Strijk J, van der Beek A. Evaluation of occupational health interventions using a randomized controlled trial: challenges and alternative research designs. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2015;41(5):491–503.CrossRefPubMed
62.
Durlak JA, DuPre EP. Implementation matters: A review of research on the influence of implementation on program outcomes and the factors affecting implementation. Am J Community Psychol. 2008;41(3–4):327–50.CrossRefPubMed
63.
Wierenga D, Engbers LH, Van Empelen P, van Mechelen W. A 7-Step Strategy for the Implementation of Worksite Lifestyle Interventions: Helpful or Not? J Occup Environ Med. 2016;58(5):e159–65.CrossRefPubMed
64.
LaMontagne AD, Martin A, Page KM, Reavley NJ, Noblet AJ, Milner AJ, Keegel T, Smith PM. Workplace mental health: developing an integrated intervention approach. BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14(1):1.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
The effect of an organizational level participatory intervention in secondary vocational education on work-related health outcomes: results of a controlled trial
Authors
Roosmarijn M. C. Schelvis
Noortje M. Wiezer
Allard J. van der Beek
Jos W. R. Twisk
Ernst T. Bohlmeijer
Karen M. Oude Hengel
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4057-6

Other articles of this Issue 1/2017

BMC Public Health 1/2017 Go to the issue

Research article

Validation of commercial business lists as a proxy for licensed alcohol outlets

Erratum

Erratum to: Gender difference and effect of pharmacotherapy: findings from a smoking cessation service

Research article

Effect of exclusive breastfeeding on selected adverse health and nutritional outcomes: a nationally representative study

Research article

Short- and long-term effectiveness of a three-month individualized need-supportive physical activity counseling intervention at the workplace

Study protocol

A school-based physical activity promotion intervention in children: rationale and study protocol for the PREVIENE Project

Research article

Solid medical waste: a cross sectional study of household disposal practices and reported harm in Southern Ghana