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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07465809

Mental Health Resources and Employability in Healthcare

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Burnout, Professional Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Burnout, Psychological Emotional Regulation Mental Health Occupational Diseases Occupational Stress Personal Satisfaction Psychological Well-Being Self-Control Social Behavior Stress, Psychological

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences

Bratislava, Slovakia, 821 05

About this study

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:

  • 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.
  • 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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18+
  • Employed as healthcare worker
  • Willing to participate in 10-week intervention
  • Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Current participation in another structured psychological intervention
  • Self-reported mental health concerns that the participant feels may prevent safe or full participation in the training program

Treatment and study plan

Coaching-Based Self-Regulation Training

Behavioral

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.

Mindfulness training program

Behavioral

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in overall employability score

    Time frame: Baseline (Pre-test), 10 weeks (Post-test), and 16 weeks (Follow-up)

    Employability was assessed using the Dispositional Measure of Employability (Employability Scale). The scale consists of 25 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Total average scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater employability.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Mental Health Indicators: Change in Self-Regulation

    Time frame: Baseline (Pre-test), 10 weeks (Post-test), and 16 weeks (Follow-up)

    Self-regulation will be assessed using the Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire. The instrument contains 20 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with total average scores ranging from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate better self-regulation.

  2. Change in Mental Health Indicators: Change in Perceived Employability

    Time frame: Baseline (Pre-test), 10 weeks (Post-test), and 16 weeks (Follow-up)

    Perceived employability will be measured using the Perceived Employability Scale (3-item version). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with total average scores ranging from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate higher perceived employability (better outcome).

  3. Change in Mental Health Indicators: Change in Psychological Well-Being

    Time frame: Baseline (Pre-test), 10 weeks (Post-test), and 16 weeks (Follow-up)

    Psychological well-being will be assessed using the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index. The scale includes 5 items rated from 0 to 5. The total score is multiplied by four, resulting in a total score of 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate greater psychological well-being (better outcome) and lower scores indicate depression.

  4. Change in Mental Health Indicators: Change in Anxiety Symptoms

    Time frame: Baseline (Pre-test), 10 weeks (Post-test), and 16 weeks (Follow-up)

    Anxiety symptoms will be measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale. The scale consists of 7 items rated from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), with total scores ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety symptom severity (worse outcome)

  5. Change in Mental Health Indicators: Change in Perceived Stress

    Time frame: Baseline (Pre-test), 10 weeks (Post-test), and 16 weeks (Follow-up)

    Perceived stress will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale - 4 Item Version. The scale includes 4 items rated from 0 to 4, yielding total scores ranging from 0 to 16. Higher scores indicate greater perceived stress (worse outcome)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Comenius University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Mental Health Resources for Employability of Health-care Workers

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 12, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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