February's Article of the Month: Effectiveness of a Web-Based Intervention to Reduce Stress in Healthcare Professionals
The initiative “Article of the Month”, promoted by the Research and Communication Committee of the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, continues this February with the selection of the study Effectiveness of a Web-Based Self-Guided Intervention (MINDxYOU) for Reducing Stress and Promoting Mental Health Among Health Professionals as the article of the month.
This study, led by Dr. Yolanda López del Hoyo from the University of Zaragoza and co-authored by Dr. Adrián Pérez Aranda from the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, is part of a research project funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (PI21/01328 and PI21/01338) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The study has provided new evidence on the effectiveness of an intervention based on third-generation therapies in healthcare professionals, highlighting the importance of implementing actions to promote the well-being of this group.
The high levels of sustained stress experienced by healthcare professionals constitute a significant risk factor for the development of mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms. These conditions not only affect their well-being but also have an important social and organizational impact.
The study included 357 healthcare professionals and evaluated the effectiveness of the MINDxYOU program, a self-guided online intervention based on the principles of third-generation therapies, as well as mindfulness, compassion, and acceptance. This research, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, with an impact factor of 5.8 (first decile in the Health Care Science & Services category), analyzes the potential of this program to reduce perceived stress and promote mental health among healthcare professionals.
Main Results
The results showed a significant reduction in perceived stress among participants who completed the intervention. Additionally, improvements were observed in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatization, as well as an increase in resilience, self-compassion, and specific facets of mindfulness.
Study Implications
The findings highlight the potential of digital interventions to reduce stress in healthcare professionals, a particularly vulnerable group. According to the authors, the online format provides flexibility and accessibility, although further research is needed to explore strategies to improve adherence to the intervention and maximize long-term benefits.
This study represents a significant contribution to research on mental health in the healthcare sector and reinforces the need to integrate preventive interventions to effectively address professional stress.