Can resilience be developed at work? A meta‐analytic review of resilience‐building programme effectiveness

Abstract

Organizations have increasingly sought to adopt resilience‐building programmes to prevent absenteeism, counterproductive work behaviour, and other stress‐related issues. However, the effectiveness of these programmes remains unclear as a comprehensive review of existing primary evidence has not been undertaken. Using 42 independent samples across 37 studies, the present meta‐analysis sought to address this limitation in the literature by summarizing the effectiveness of resilience‐building programmes implemented in organizational contexts. Results demonstrated that the overall effect of such programmes was small (d = 0.21) and that programme effects diminish over time (dproximal = 0.26 vs. ddistal = 0.07). Alternatively, moderator analyses revealed that programmes targeting individuals thought to be at greater risk of experiencing stress and lacking core protective factors showed the opposite effect over time. Programmes employing a one‐on‐one delivery format (e.g., coaching) were most effective, followed by the classroom‐based group delivery format. Programmes using train‐the‐trainer and computer‐based delivery formats were least effective. Finally, substantially stronger effects were observed among studies employing single‐group within‐participant designs, in comparison with studies utilizing between‐participant designs. Taken together, these findings provide important theoretical and practical implications for advancing the study and use of resilience‐building in the workplace.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Apr 25, 2015
Source ID
10.1111/joop.12123

Entities

People

  • Adam J. Vanhove
  • Alycia L. U. Perez
  • Mitchel N. Herian
  • Paul B. Lester
  • Peter D. Harms

Organizations

  • United States Army
  • University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Tags

Readers

  • Academic Conference Management
  • Instructional Design and Training Evaluation.
  • Theoretical Analysis.