Potential Effectiveness and Feasibility of a Four-Week Self-Efficacy Intervention for Employees With Mental Disorders – A Multiple Baseline Single-Case Experimental Design Study

There is preliminary evidence that work-related self-efficacy might be enhanced by (workplace-based) cognitive-behavioural interventions. Mastery experiences are considered the strongest source of self-efficacy. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of a 4-week psychotherapeutic intervention module which focuses past and present work-related mastery experiences. Moreover, we aim to explore treatment satisfaction and adverse events. Participants will be employees with a diagnosis of a common mental disorder or subclinical symptoms of psychosomatic disorders who seek help concerning current work-related issues. We will employ a single-case experimental design (SCED) with multiple baselines across participants. The design comprises three phases: 1) baseline, lasting 12 to 44 days, 2) intervention, lasting 29 days, 3) posttreatment, lasting 7 to 39 days. Outcomes (levels of work-related self-efficacy and mastery experiences) will be measured daily with standardized self-report questionnaires. Visual analysis and statistical randomization tests will be performed.