Evaluating organizational stress-management interventions using adapted study designs

Abstract

The evaluation of organizational stress management interventions has proved challenging for researchers and practitioners alike. Traditionally, researcher designed quasi-experiments have been regarded as the method for evaluating such interventions. However, relatively few such studies have been satisfactorily completed in organizations, and many of those that have did not adequately take account of intervention processes. This article presents an approach to evaluation that can help to overcome these problems. Two empirical studies are presented that demonstrate that measurement of the intervention process can be used to adapt and shape the design of the evaluation. In both studies, process evaluation incorporating the measurement of intervention exposure was used to partition participant samples (into intervention and control groups). This approach has the potential to enable and strengthen quantitative outcome evaluation in situations where controlled quasi-experimentation is not possible.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the UK Health and Safety Executive, The Royal College of Nursing, and UNISON for their support for the work presented in this article. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and not those of any other individual or organization.

Notes

The authors recognize that qualitative methods also offer viable alternative approaches to evaluation in chaotic organizational settings (see Kompier et al., 2000a).

This does not refer to track and trains, but rather to equipment found in the station building. Inspection and repair of track equipment was carried out by other specialist members of staff.

Age and length of service measured using categorical items to protect participant anonymity.