Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Jan 9, 2025
Date Accepted: Jul 5, 2025
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Designing a Preventive Stress Management mHealth Intervention: Factorial Experiment to Optimize Intervention Components
ABSTRACT
Work stress is a prevalent risk factor for health problems such as burnout and cardiovascular disease. mHealth interventions – digital interventions delivered via mobile devices - are a promising way to combat this issue, offering the possibility of scalable programs that are easily accessible. A wide range of evidence-based stress management techniques can be used in the digital context to mitigate the negative consequences of work stress. However, evidence is needed to support what specific intervention content is most effective at preventing symptoms of stress-related health problems. This study tested five digital intervention components that may improve stress management among workers – Engagement, Demands, Control, Journaling, Psychoeducation - in a factorial experimental study among healthcare workers in Sweden (N = 283). It was of special interest to observe the interaction effect between Engagement & Demands, Demands & Control, and Journaling & Psychoeducation. Results indicate that components aiding self-insight should be integrated with components providing actionable advice for optimal intervention effects. Results from this optimization may inform the development of digital stress management interventions to be tested in future randomized controlled trials.
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Copyright
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