| Abstract: | Considerable research effort has been conducted into evaluating occupational stress management interventions (SMIs) that target individual workers. We consider several factors central to the interpretation of such research. Specifically, we survey 27 published SMI reports taking into account (1) the amount and detail of descriptive information provided in respect to sample characteristics and intervention procedures; (2) the level of statistical power evident in study designs; (3) whether studies are reductionist, in that they target specific workers experiencing elevated levels of strain, or preventive in that they are available to allcomers, regardless of initial strain levels; (4) whether statistically significant change where it occurs is meaningful in real-world (or clinical) terms, and reliable in measurement terms. We also outline recommendations for descriptive data and statistical considerations to be included in planning and interpreting SMI research. Our conclusion is that stress management researchers should attend to those factors to a far greater extent. At present the quality of reporting and research design is such that it is difficult to form an impression of what type of SMI is appropriate to whom, and in what circumstances. |
