Assessing the Effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a Self-Management Mobile App, in Reducing Work Stress and Preventing Burnout: Single-Case Experimental Design Study.

Publisher: JMIR Publications Country of Publication: Canada NLM ID: 100959882 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1438-8871 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14388871 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Med Internet Res Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: <2011- > : Toronto : JMIR Publications
Original Publication: [Pittsburgh, PA? : s.n., 1999-

Mobile Applications* ; Self-Management* ; Occupational Stress*/prevention & control ; Burnout, Professional*/prevention & control ; Psychological Tests* ; Self Report*; Humans ; Research Design ; Burnout, Psychological

Background: Work-related stress and burnout remain common problems among employees, leading to impaired health and higher absenteeism. The use of mobile health apps to promote well-being has grown substantially; however, the impact of such apps on reducing stress and preventing burnout is limited.
Objective: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a mobile-based stress management intervention, on perceived stress, coping self-efficacy, and the level of burnout among mental health employees.
Methods: The study used a single-case experimental design to examine the use of STAPP@Work among mental health employees without a known diagnosis of burnout (N=63). Participants used the app for 1 week per month repeatedly for a period of 6 months. Using a reversal design, the participants used the app 6 times to assess replicated immediate (1 week after use) and lasting (3 weeks after use) effects. The Perceived Stress Scale, the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Burnout Assessment Tool were used to measure the outcomes. Linear mixed models were used to analyze the data.
Results: After 6 months of app use for 1 week per month, the participants showed a statistically significant decrease in perceived stress (b=-0.38, 95% CI -0.67 to -0.09; P=.01; Cohen d=0.50) and burnout symptoms (b=-0.31, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.12; P=.002; Cohen d=0.63) as well as a statistically significant improvement in problem-focused coping self-efficacy (b=0.42, 95% CI 0-0.85; P=.049; Cohen d=0.42). Long-term use of the app provided consistent reductions in burnout symptoms over time, including in the level of exhaustion and emotional impairment.
Conclusions: The use of an app-based stress management intervention has been shown to reduce burnout symptoms and enhance coping self-efficacy among mental health workers. Prevention of burnout and minimization of work-related stress are of utmost importance to protect employee health and reduce absenteeism.
(©Sevda Demirel, Yvette Roke, Adriaan W Hoogendoorn, Jamie Hoefakker, Kirsten Hoeberichts, Peter N van Harten. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 29.02.2024.)

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Keywords: burnout; coping; digital intervention; health promotion; mHealth; mental health; mental health professionals; mobile apps; mobile health; stress; stress management

Perceived Stress Scale

Date Created: 20240126 Date Completed: 20240301 Latest Revision: 20240317

20250114

PMC10940977

10.2196/48883

38275128