Working adults' well-being: An online self-help goal-based intervention

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Occupational Health
• Intervention Science

Background:

• Workplace well-being is crucial for employee health and productivity.
• Clinically validated interventions often require adaptation for broader accessibility.
• Online self-help formats offer scalable solutions for workplace well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an online goal-setting and planning (GAP) intervention for working adults.
• To assess the intervention's impact on positive affect, negative affect, flourishing, and life satisfaction.
• To determine the stability of intervention effects over a 3-month follow-up period.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal, randomized crossover design was employed.
• Participants were UK Civil Service employees randomized to GAP or a wait-list control group.
• Wait-list participants subsequently received the GAP intervention, allowing for crossover analysis.

Main Results:

• The GAP intervention significantly increased positive affect and flourishing compared to controls.
• No immediate changes were observed in negative affect or life satisfaction.
• Positive affect and flourishing remained elevated at 3-month follow-up; negative affect and life satisfaction improved by follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Online, self-help well-being interventions can be effectively adapted for workplace settings.
• Brief, goal-based interventions enhance working adults' well-being.
• Intervention success is linked to goal alignment with personal values and individual choice.