This program was for adult employees.

Coping with Work and Family Stress was a worksite prevention program that was designed to help employees identify and manage challenges and pressures in the workplace and the home environment.

One randomized controlled trial (RCT) of primarily white, working mothers in secretarial positions found that individuals in the intervention group reported lower employee role stress, higher social support from work sources, and less tobacco and alcohol use at post-intervention compared to a control group.  At a 6-month follow-up, individuals in the intervention group reported lower work-family stress, lower work-environment stress, higher social support from work sources, lower avoidance coping, and lower psychological symptomatology than individuals in the control group.  In a separate RCT with anesthesiology residents, results immediately following the intervention suggested that participation significantly reduced stressors in the parenting role, increased social support at work and problem-solving coping, and reduced anxiety compared to control groups.

Coping with Work and Family Stress used behavioral modification to teach employees strategies for decreasing risk factors, improving coping skills, increasing social support, addressing work and family stress in relation to substance use and psychological symptoms, and locating support networks.  The program consisted of the following three components:

• Identify and remove or minimize sources of stress, apply problem-solving techniques to eliminate or modify stress, learn effective problem-solving and communication, and discuss the benefits of a strong social support network;
• Explore cognitive restructuring and other techniques to help change how a problem is perceived in order to modify the cognitive and appraisal processes that potentially cause or magnify stress; and
• Utilize stress management techniques, such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and mental imagery exercises. Minimize the use of avoidance coping, such as substance use.

The program was implemented with groups of 15 to 20 employees and was delivered in the work place. Sessions included didactic presentations, group discussions, problem-solving activities, examination of personal experiences, and stress management approaches that were unique to participants' work and family situations. The final program session encouraged participants to create personal stress management plans.

As of 2007, this program had been implemented in 22 sites with approximately 1,500 employees.  Facilitator training for staff members of United States Marine Corps Family Advocacy units has been conducted.

This program was delivered by individuals in the workplace or professionals in the community who had a master's-level education and experience with group dynamics and cognitive interventions.  A 3-day, off-site training was required and was delivered using a train-the-trainer model.  Facilitators were required to purchase program materials (i.e., curriculum, handouts, and CDs).  On-site or telephone follow-up was available.

Although this program is no longer available, considerations for implementing a similar program could include recruiting facilitators and ensuring they receive training, acquiring buy-in from management and participants, obtaining sufficient space to hold sessions, and providing release time for employee participation and for facilitators to prepare for and deliver the program (i.e., 4 to 6 hours per week).

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing a program similar to Coping with Work and Family Stress, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you! Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

The intervention consisted of 16-weekly, 90-minute sessions.  The program was usually conducted during work hours at the workplace.

Information on implementation costs was not located.

To move the Coping with Work and Family Stress program to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least two evaluations should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year post-exposure. One of these evaluations should be conducted independently of the program developer.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

This program is no longer available.

www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/ProgramProfile.aspx?id=1269 (This website may no longer contain program information) and http://theconsultationcenter.org/WFS%20SAMHSA.pdf

Kline, M. L., & Snow, D. L. (1994). Effects of a worksite coping skills intervention on the stress, social support, and health outcomes of working mothers. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 15(2), 105-121. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02197142 .

Saadat, H., Snow, D. L., Ottenheimer, S., Dai, F., &  Kain, Z. N. (2012). Wellness program for anesthesiology residents: A randomized, controlled trial. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, 56(9), 1130-1138. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-6576.2012.02705.x

Boekeloo, B., Geiger, T., Wang, M., Ishman, N., Quinton, S., Allen, G., ... Snow, D. (2015). Evaluation of a socio-cultural intervention to reduce unprotected sex for HIV among african American/Black women. AIDS and Behavior, 19(10), 1752-1762. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-015-1004-3

Craddock, C. S., & Folse, K. A. (2016). Psychological stress of Hispanics living on the border. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 18(4), 856-863. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0295-9