Evaluation of stress prevention by short exercises in the Federal Foreign Office’s occupational health-management

Abstract

Background: As a part of the Federal Foreign Office’s occupational health management the study evaluates a preventative measure that also reaches the staff abroad – with its specific stressors and resources. Methods: The evaluation study is based on telephone-interviews of 89 participants in 2012 and additional 67 participants in 2014. A quantitative content analysis was used. It compares the results on different levels of transfer to the work-place in 2012 and 2014 – in relation to changes in course design and in organizational culture (perception of prevention at work). Findings: The analysis finds improvements concerning the happiness with the course itself and the transfer to the workplace in 2014 compared to 2012. Also changes in the organization’s perception of preventive measure were found. Discussion: Conclusions are that changes in course design lead to improved transfer to the workplace in addition the more positive perception of preventive measures at the workplace throughout the organization seems to be another driver of transfer. Recently another study to evaluate a computer based version of this training was launched.