Employer perspectives on stress intervention and resilience building: a qualitative study

Abstract

This study sought to gain a deeper understanding of the types of benefits, programs, and organizational practices employers currently are providing to prevent distress among employees or to help employees become more resilient to adverse conditions. Forty-six employer representatives discussed the perceived strengths of their organizations' approaches during interviews and discussion groups. Grounded theory methodology was employed to sample and analyze these data. Based on patterns that emerged from the narratives of these participants, a model is proposed to explain three effective approaches used by employers in addressing stress in the workplace: 1) preventing stress/building resilience, 2) providing information, resources, and benefits to employees, and 3) intervening actively with troubled employees. Trust, both in relationships and in organizational structures, emerged as a core concept explaining effectiveness of these approaches. This model may be used to frame future strategies used by employers to support healthy engaged employees and to guide investigations into social and emotional aspects related to work.