Negative work perception not changed in a short work-anxiety-coping group therapy intervention

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health Psychology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Work anxiety is a significant factor leading to long-term sick leave, necessitating early intervention strategies.
• Negative perceptions of the workplace are commonly linked to work anxieties.
• Cognitive reframing of maladaptive workplace perceptions is a key goal in early intervention for work anxiety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a short, psychotherapeutic group program designed to help patients cope with work anxiety.
• To determine if cognitive reframing of workplace perceptions can be achieved through a brief intervention.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 123 rehabilitation inpatients diagnosed with work anxiety.
• Participants were assigned to either a four-session work anxiety-coping group or a recreational control group.
• Perceptions of working conditions were measured using the Short Questionnaire for Work Analysis (KFZA) pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• The work anxiety-coping group did not report significantly more positive perceptions of their work compared to the recreational group.
• The intervention failed to induce a consistent positive reappraisal of work among participants.

Conclusions:

• Short-term work anxiety coping interventions may not be sufficient to promote lasting positive changes in work perception.
• Employers and occupational physicians should anticipate limited improvements in work perception following brief medical rehabilitation.
• Additional workplace support, such as pre-return-to-work discussions and work adjustments, is recommended to facilitate employee reintegration.