A web-based training program using cognitive behavioral therapy to alleviate psychological distress among employees:...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Occupational Health
• Intervention Studies

Background:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) programs are used to reduce psychological distress.
• Workplace stress management programs need to be brief and simple.
• Development of effective, concise workplace interventions remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess a brief CBT training program's impact on employee psychological distress.
• To evaluate the program's effectiveness in enhancing stress management skills.
• To determine if the program improves recognition of dysfunctional thinking, thought transformation, stress coping, and problem-solving.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled study involving 168 employees from a Tokyo IT company.
• The training group received group CBT education and 1 month of web-based CBT homework.
• Outcomes were measured immediately after training and at 6-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• Overall psychological distress scores did not significantly differ between groups at 6 months.
• Participants significantly improved in recognizing dysfunctional thinking immediately and at 6 months.
• Stress coping abilities improved at 6 months, but thought transformation and problem-solving did not.
• A sub-analysis revealed significant reductions in psychological distress for employees with high initial distress, persisting at 6 months.

Conclusions:

• A brief CBT program combining group education and web-based homework can moderately reduce distress in employees with significant symptoms.
• The program may enhance employees' self-evaluation of stress management capabilities.
• Targeted interventions are effective for specific employee subgroups experiencing high distress.