Functional assertiveness with acceptance and commitment therapy for employees returning to work: a preliminary...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Mental Health Interventions

Background:

• The global mental health crisis necessitates effective support for employees returning to work after mental health leave.
• Challenges in returning to work include difficulties with workplace relationships and psychological adjustment.
• Assertiveness training combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) shows potential for addressing these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To preliminarily examine the efficacy of a functional assertiveness training program incorporating ACT.
• To assess the program's impact on mindfulness, psychological flexibility, functional assertiveness, and return-to-work difficulties.
• To evaluate the program's benefits for individuals on mental health leave.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 29 participants on mental health leave.
• Eight group sessions of functional assertiveness training incorporating ACT.
• Assessment of mindfulness, psychological flexibility, functional assertiveness, and return-to-work difficulties using paired t-tests and Cohen's d.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in mindfulness (observing, non-reactivity, non-judging), psychological flexibility, and functional assertiveness.
• A decrease in perceived difficulty in returning to work, particularly concerning workplace relationships.
• High completion rate (28/29 participants).

Conclusions:

• The functional assertiveness training program incorporating ACT shows promise in aiding employees' return to work after mental health leave.
• Improvements were observed in key psychological flexibility and assertiveness metrics.
• Further research with a control group is recommended to confirm these preliminary findings.