NCT07465809

Mental Health Resources and Employability in Healthcare

Mental Health Resources for Employability of Health-care Workers

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 54 (actual)
• Sponsor: Comenius University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This interventional study evaluates the effectiveness of two 10-week self-regulation training programs (coaching-based and mindfulness-based) designed to enhance mental health and employability resources among healthcare workers (HCWs). Participants are allocated into two intervention arms based on their baseline level of emotional self-regulation. The study applies a non-randomized controlled pre-test/post-test design. The primary outcome is change in employability. Secondary outcomes include mental health indicators, such as perceived stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms and self-regulation. A follow-up assessment was conducted six weeks after the post-test. Additionally, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore participants' subjective experiences with the interventions.

Detailed description

This interventional study employed a non-randomized, parallel-group, pre-test/post-test design to examine the impact of two different behavioral interventions on healthcare workers' (HCWs) psychological resources and employability. Participant Allocation: Participants were allocated into two study arms based on their initial level of emotional self-regulation, measured by the Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ) at baseline. This tailored approach ensured that participants received the intervention most suited to their current psychological needs. Study Arms and Interventions: 1. Mindfulness Training Program: Participants with lower baseline self-regulation scores underwent a 10-week mindfulness-based intervention. This program focused on emotional stabilization, stress management, and cognitive processing using meditative techniques, relaxation, and reflective writing. 2. Coaching Training Program: Participants with optimal/higher baseline self-regulation scores participated in a 10-week professional coaching program. This intervention focused on identifying core challenges, leveraging personal strengths, and setting actionable career goals to enhance professional growth and employability. Data Collection and Methodology: Quantitative data were collected at three time points: Baseline (Week 0), Post-intervention (Week 10), and a Follow-up assessment (Week 16). The primary focus was the change in employability scores, with secondary measures tracking anxiety, perceived stress, and general well-being. Qualitative Component: To provide a deeper understanding of the intervention's impact, a qualitative component was included. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a subset of participants after the program completion. These interviews explored subjective experiences and perceived changes in professional life, and the data were subsequently processed using thematic analysis.

Conditions

• Burnout, Professional
• Mental Health
• Emotional Regulation
• Occupational Stress

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Coaching-Based Self-Regulation Training	The coaching program is a ten-week intervention based on a meta-analysis of employability training programs. It helps participants identify core professional challenges and personal strengths. Participants work on setting specific goals, creating action plans, and following up on execution. The primary aim is to empower healthcare workers to take actions that reduce stress and improve mental health to support better long-term employability.
BEHAVIORAL	Mindfulness training program	The mindfulness program is a ten-week intervention designed for participants with lower baseline self-regulation. It focuses on developing skills such as stress management, emotion regulation, and cognitive processing. The program utilizes a combination of meditative mindfulness, relaxation techniques, guided imagery, and reflective writing. The aim is to achieve an optimal level of self-regulation to reduce anxious or depressive thoughts and promote employability.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-10-20
• Primary completion: 2026-02-11
• Completion: 2026-02-20
• First posted: 2026-03-12
• Last updated: 2026-03-12

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Slovakia