Meta Self-Efficacy Internet Intervention to Support Occupational Health in Young Employees: Protocol for Co-Creation...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health Psychology
• Intervention Science
• Workplace Well-being

Background:

• Young employees face workplace challenges requiring personal resources like self-efficacy.
• Context-specific self-efficacy limits its broad applicability.
• Meta self-efficacy, the ability to leverage self-efficacy sources, is proposed to enhance occupational health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To co-create and verify the efficacy of an internet intervention.
• The intervention aims to enhance meta self-efficacy in young employees.
• The goal is to support young employees' occupational health.

Main Methods:

• Co-creation phase: 4 focus groups (24 participants) using a participatory approach.
• Randomized controlled trial (RCT): 600 participants, 2-arm parallel design, comparing intervention vs. placebo.
• Outcomes: Primary - work self-efficacy; Secondary - job stress, well-being, capabilities; Manipulation check - meta self-efficacy. Analyzed via linear mixed-effects models.

Main Results:

• Co-creation phase: 3 of 4 focus groups completed; final group by end of 2025.
• RCT recruitment starts early 2026; last follow-up expected by end of 2026.
• Data analysis will follow intention-to-treat principles, examining adherence and engagement.

Conclusions:

• The meta self-efficacy intervention is expected to significantly improve work self-efficacy and occupational well-being compared to placebo.
• The intervention may enhance employees' ability to cope with diverse challenges.
• Potential for positive effects extending beyond the initial occupational context.