Mental Health Resources and Employability in Healthcare

Mental Health Resources for Employability of Health-care Workers

This interventional study evaluates the effectiveness of two 10-week self-regulation training programs (coaching-based and mindfulness-based) designed to enhance mental health and employability resources among healthcare workers (HCWs). Participants are allocated into two intervention arms based on their baseline level of emotional self-regulation. The study applies a non-randomized controlled pre-test/post-test design. The primary outcome is change in employability. Secondary outcomes include mental health indicators, such as perceived stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms and self-regulation. A follow-up assessment was conducted six weeks after the post-test. Additionally, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore participants' subjective experiences with the interventions.

This interventional study employed a non-randomized, parallel-group, pre-test/post-test design to examine the impact of two different behavioral interventions on healthcare workers' (HCWs) psychological resources and employability.

Participant Allocation: Participants were allocated into two study arms based on their initial level of emotional self-regulation, measured by the Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ) at baseline. This tailored approach ensured that participants received the intervention most suited to their current psychological needs.

Study Arms and Interventions:

1. Mindfulness Training Program: Participants with lower baseline self-regulation scores underwent a 10-week mindfulness-based intervention. This program focused on emotional stabilization, stress management, and cognitive processing using meditative techniques, relaxation, and reflective writing.
2. Coaching Training Program: Participants with optimal/higher baseline self-regulation scores participated in a 10-week professional coaching program. This intervention focused on identifying core challenges, leveraging personal strengths, and setting actionable career goals to enhance professional growth and employability.

Data Collection and Methodology: Quantitative data were collected at three time points: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 10), and a Follow-up assessment (Week 16). The primary focus was the change in employability scores, with secondary measures tracking anxiety, perceived stress, and general well-being.

Qualitative Component: To provide a deeper understanding of the intervention's impact, a qualitative component was included. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a subset of participants after the program completion. These interviews explored subjective experiences and perceived changes in professional life, and the data were subsequently processed using thematic analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18+
• Employed as healthcare worker
• Willing to participate in 10-week intervention
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current participation in another structured psychological intervention
• Self-reported mental health concerns that the participant feels may prevent safe or full participation in the training program