Protecting the Mental Health of Small-to-Medium Enterprise Owners: A Randomized Control Trial Evaluating a Self-Administered Versus Telephone Supported Intervention. Issue 7 (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martin, Angela; Kilpatrick, Michelle; Scott, Jenn; Cocker, Fiona; Dawkins, Sarah; Brough, Paula; Sanderson, Kristy
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 62:Issue 7(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: mental health intervention -- randomized control trial -- small business -- small-medium enterprises; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001882
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Small-medium enterprises (SMEs) are under-represented in occupational health research. Owner/managers face mental ill-health risks/exacerbating factors including financial stress and long working hours. This study assessed the effectiveness of a workplace mental health and wellbeing intervention specifically for SME owner/managers. Methods: Two hundred ninety seven owner/managers of SMEs were recruited and invited to complete a baseline survey assessing their mental health and wellbeing and were then randomly allocated to one of three intervention groups: (1) self-administered, (2) self-administered plus telephone, or (3) an active control condition. After a four-month intervention period they were followed up with a second survey. Results: Intention to treat analyses showed a significant decrease in psychological distress for both the active control and the telephone facilitated intervention groups, with the telephone group demonstrating a greater ratio of change. Conclusion: The provision of telephone support for self-administered interventions in this context appears warranted.