February 2001, Vol. 91, No. 2 | Jac J.L. van der Klink, MD, MSc, Roland W.B. Blonk, PhD, Aart H. Schene, PhD, MD, and Frank J.H. van Dijk, PhD, MD
This quantitative meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of occupational stress-reducing interventions and identifies the most beneficial populations for such interventions. The study included 48 experimental studies (n = 3736) across four intervention types: cognitive-behavioral interventions, relaxation techniques, multimodal programs, and organization-focused interventions. The results showed a small but significant overall effect size (d = 0.34, 95% CI [0.27, 0.41]). Cognitive-behavioral interventions and multimodal interventions had moderate effects (d = 0.44), while relaxation techniques had a small effect (d = 0.2). Organization-focused interventions had a nonsignificant effect size. The most pronounced effects were observed in complaints, psychologic resources and responses, and perceived quality of work life. The study concluded that stress management interventions are effective, with cognitive-behavioral interventions being the most effective among the types examined.This quantitative meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of occupational stress-reducing interventions and identifies the most beneficial populations for such interventions. The study included 48 experimental studies (n = 3736) across four intervention types: cognitive-behavioral interventions, relaxation techniques, multimodal programs, and organization-focused interventions. The results showed a small but significant overall effect size (d = 0.34, 95% CI [0.27, 0.41]). Cognitive-behavioral interventions and multimodal interventions had moderate effects (d = 0.44), while relaxation techniques had a small effect (d = 0.2). Organization-focused interventions had a nonsignificant effect size. The most pronounced effects were observed in complaints, psychologic resources and responses, and perceived quality of work life. The study concluded that stress management interventions are effective, with cognitive-behavioral interventions being the most effective among the types examined.