Outcome assessment of a complex mental health intervention in the workplace. Results from the MENTUPP pilot study
Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Multicomponent interventions are recommendable to achieve the greatest mental health benefits, but are difficult to evaluate due to their complexity. Defining long-term outcomes, arising from a Theory of Change (ToC) and testing them in a pilot phase, is a useful approach to plan a comprehensive and meaningful evaluation later on. This article reports on the pilot results of an outcome evaluation of a complex mental health intervention and examines whether appropriate evaluation measures and indicators have been selected ahead of a clustered randomised control trial (cRCT). METHODS: The MENTUPP pilot is an evidence-based intervention for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) active in three work sectors and nine countries. Based on our ToC, we selected the MENTUPP long-term outcomes, which are reported in this article, are measured with seven validated scales assessing mental wellbeing, burnout, depression, anxiety, stigma towards depression and anxiety, absenteeism and presenteeism. The pilot MENTUPP intervention assessment took place at baseline and at 6 months follow-up. RESULTS: In total, 25 SMEs were recruited in the MENTUPP pilot and 346 participants completed the validated scales at baseline and 96 at follow-up. Three long-term outcomes significantly improved at follow-up (p < 0.05): mental wellbeing, symptoms of anxiety, and personal stigmatising attitudes towards depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this outcome evaluation suggest that MENTUPP has the potential to strengthen employees' wellbeing and decrease anxiety symptoms and stigmatising attitudes. Additionally, this study demonstrates the utility of conducting pilot workplace interventions to assess whether appropriate measures and indicators have been selected. Based on the results, the intervention and the evaluation strategy have been optimised.
Authors: Fotini Tsantila, Evelien Coppens, Hans De Witte, Ella Arensman, Benedikt Amann, Arlinda Cerga-Pashoja, Paul Corcoran, Johanna Creswell-Smith, Grace Cully, Monika Ditta Toth, Birgit Greiner, Eve Griffin, Ulrich Hegerl, Carolyn Holland, Caleb Leduc, Mallorie Leduc, Doireann Ni Dhalaigh, Cliodhna O’Brien, Charlotte Paterson, György Purebl, Hanna Reich, Victoria Ross, Reiner Rugulies, Sarita Sanches, Katherine Thompson, Chantal Van Audenhove, Kahar Abula, Birgit Aust, Laura Cox, Luigia D’Alessandro, Grace Davey, Lars De Winter, Kim Dooyoung, Asmae Doukani, Arilda Dushaj, Naim Fanaj, Stefan Hackel, Bridget Hogg, Sharna Mathieu, Margaret Maxwell, Ana Moreno- Alcazar, Karen Mulcahy, Doireann Ni Dhalaigh, Ainslie O’ Connor, Wendy Orchard, Gentiana Qirjako, Saara Rapeli, Sarita Sanches, Andras Szekely, Jaap Van Weeghel, Kristian Wahlbeck, Eva Zsak
Institutions: KU Leuven, North-West University, Griffith University, University College Cork, National Suicide Research Foundation, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Hospital Del Mar, Parc de Salut, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Semmelweis University, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital Frankfurt, European Alliance Against Depression, University of Stirling, University of Copenhagen, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Altrecht GGZ, International Association for Suicide Prevention
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,690
OpenAlex ID: W4384296544