JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Background:

A growing body of research suggests that resilience training can play a pivotal role in creating mentally healthy workplaces, particularly with regards to protecting the long-term well-being of workers. Emerging research describes positive outcomes from various types of resilience training programs among different occupational groups. One specific group of workers that may benefit from this form of proactive resilience training is first responders. Given the nature of their work, first responders are frequently exposed to stressful circumstances and potentially traumatic events which may impact their overall resilience and wellbeing over time.

Objective:

Objective:

Our aim is to examine whether a mindfulness-based resilience training program (The Resilience@Work Mindfulness Program) delivered via the internet can effectively enhance resilience among a group of high-risk workers.

Methods:

Methods:

We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) comprising 24 Primary Fire and Rescue and Hazmat Stations within New South Wales. 12 stations were assigned to the 6-session RAW Mindfulness Program and 12 stations were assigned to the control condition. 143 active full-time firefighters enrolled in the study. Questionnaires were administered at baseline, immediately post-training and at 6-month follow-up. Measurements examined change in both adaptive and bounce-back resilience as well as several secondary outcomes examining resilience resources and acceptance/mindfulness skills.

Results:

Results:

Mixed-model repeated measures analysis found that the overall test of group by time interaction was significant (p=0.008) with the intervention group increasing in adaptive resilience over time. However, no significant differences were found between the intervention group and the control group in terms of change in bounce-back resilience (p=0.09). At 6-month follow-up the group receiving the RAW Intervention had an average increase in their resilience score of 1.3 equating to a moderate to large effect size compared to the control group of 0.73 (CI: 0.38 – 1.06). Per protocol analysis found that compared to the control group, the greatest improvements in adaptive resilience were observed among those who completed most of the RAW Program, i.e. 5-6 sessions (p = 0.002).

Conclusions:

Conclusions:

The results of this RCT suggests that mindfulness-based resilience training delivered in an online format can create improvements in adaptive resilience and related resources among high risk workers, such as first-responders. Despite a number of limitations, the results of this study suggest that the RAW Mindfulness Program is an effective, scalable and practical means of delivering online resilience training in high-risk workplace settings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a mindfulness-based resilience-training program delivered wholly via the internet has been tested in the workplace. Clinical Trial: The present study was prospectively registered with The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ANZCTR no: 12615000574549.