Assessing the Effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a Self-Management Mobile App, in Reducing Work Stress and Preventing Burnout: Single-Case Experimental Design Study
BackgroundWork-related stress and burnout remain common problems among employees, leading to impaired health and higher absenteeism. The use of mobile health apps to promote well-being has grown substantially; however, the impact of such apps on reducing stress and preventing...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Online Access: | https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e48883 |
| _version_ | 1797290090948460544 |
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| author | Sevda Demirel Yvette Roke Adriaan W Hoogendoorn Jamie Hoefakker Kirsten Hoeberichts Peter N van Harten |
| author_facet | Sevda Demirel Yvette Roke Adriaan W Hoogendoorn Jamie Hoefakker Kirsten Hoeberichts Peter N van Harten |
| author_sort | Sevda Demirel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
BackgroundWork-related stress and burnout remain common problems among employees, leading to impaired health and higher absenteeism. The use of mobile health apps to promote well-being has grown substantially; however, the impact of such apps on reducing stress and preventing burnout is limited.
ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a mobile-based stress management intervention, on perceived stress, coping self-efficacy, and the level of burnout among mental health employees.
MethodsThe study used a single-case experimental design to examine the use of STAPP@Work among mental health employees without a known diagnosis of burnout (N=63). Participants used the app for 1 week per month repeatedly for a period of 6 months. Using a reversal design, the participants used the app 6 times to assess replicated immediate (1 week after use) and lasting (3 weeks after use) effects. The Perceived Stress Scale, the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Burnout Assessment Tool were used to measure the outcomes. Linear mixed models were used to analyze the data.
ResultsAfter 6 months of app use for 1 week per month, the participants showed a statistically significant decrease in perceived stress (b=–0.38, 95% CI –0.67 to –0.09; P=.01; Cohen d=0.50) and burnout symptoms (b=–0.31, 95% CI –0.51 to –0.12; P=.002; Cohen d=0.63) as well as a statistically significant improvement in problem-focused coping self-efficacy (b=0.42, 95% CI 0-0.85; P=.049; Cohen d=0.42). Long-term use of the app provided consistent reductions in burnout symptoms over time, including in the level of exhaustion and emotional impairment.
ConclusionsThe use of an app-based stress management intervention has been shown to reduce burnout symptoms and enhance coping self-efficacy among mental health workers. Prevention of burnout and minimization of work-related stress are of utmost importance to protect employee health and reduce absenteeism. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T19:15:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b2e8a7480e2a4847adaabccea5f0c65d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1438-8871 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T19:15:28Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-b2e8a7480e2a4847adaabccea5f0c65d2024-02-29T15:45:35ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712024-02-0126e4888310.2196/48883Assessing the Effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a Self-Management Mobile App, in Reducing Work Stress and Preventing Burnout: Single-Case Experimental Design StudySevda Demirelhttps://orcid.org/0009-0007-8192-9880Yvette Rokehttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-0112-5862Adriaan W Hoogendoornhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4784-0712Jamie Hoefakkerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7377-8054Kirsten Hoeberichtshttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5800-247XPeter N van Hartenhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1639-533X BackgroundWork-related stress and burnout remain common problems among employees, leading to impaired health and higher absenteeism. The use of mobile health apps to promote well-being has grown substantially; however, the impact of such apps on reducing stress and preventing burnout is limited. ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a mobile-based stress management intervention, on perceived stress, coping self-efficacy, and the level of burnout among mental health employees. MethodsThe study used a single-case experimental design to examine the use of STAPP@Work among mental health employees without a known diagnosis of burnout (N=63). Participants used the app for 1 week per month repeatedly for a period of 6 months. Using a reversal design, the participants used the app 6 times to assess replicated immediate (1 week after use) and lasting (3 weeks after use) effects. The Perceived Stress Scale, the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Burnout Assessment Tool were used to measure the outcomes. Linear mixed models were used to analyze the data. ResultsAfter 6 months of app use for 1 week per month, the participants showed a statistically significant decrease in perceived stress (b=–0.38, 95% CI –0.67 to –0.09; P=.01; Cohen d=0.50) and burnout symptoms (b=–0.31, 95% CI –0.51 to –0.12; P=.002; Cohen d=0.63) as well as a statistically significant improvement in problem-focused coping self-efficacy (b=0.42, 95% CI 0-0.85; P=.049; Cohen d=0.42). Long-term use of the app provided consistent reductions in burnout symptoms over time, including in the level of exhaustion and emotional impairment. ConclusionsThe use of an app-based stress management intervention has been shown to reduce burnout symptoms and enhance coping self-efficacy among mental health workers. Prevention of burnout and minimization of work-related stress are of utmost importance to protect employee health and reduce absenteeism.https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e48883 |
| spellingShingle | Sevda Demirel Yvette Roke Adriaan W Hoogendoorn Jamie Hoefakker Kirsten Hoeberichts Peter N van Harten Assessing the Effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a Self-Management Mobile App, in Reducing Work Stress and Preventing Burnout: Single-Case Experimental Design Study Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| title | Assessing the Effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a Self-Management Mobile App, in Reducing Work Stress and Preventing Burnout: Single-Case Experimental Design Study |
| title_full | Assessing the Effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a Self-Management Mobile App, in Reducing Work Stress and Preventing Burnout: Single-Case Experimental Design Study |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the Effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a Self-Management Mobile App, in Reducing Work Stress and Preventing Burnout: Single-Case Experimental Design Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the Effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a Self-Management Mobile App, in Reducing Work Stress and Preventing Burnout: Single-Case Experimental Design Study |
| title_short | Assessing the Effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a Self-Management Mobile App, in Reducing Work Stress and Preventing Burnout: Single-Case Experimental Design Study |
| title_sort | assessing the effectiveness of stapp work a self management mobile app in reducing work stress and preventing burnout single case experimental design study |
| url | https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e48883 |
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