A comparison of face-to-face and online training in improving managers' confidence to support the mental health of workers
File(s)
Published version
OA Location
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
In recognition of the important role managers play in the well-being of the staff they supervise, many workplaces are implementing specialised training for leaders to help them better understand and support the mental health needs of their staff. This training can be delivered through face-to-face or online training sessions. Evaluation of such programs have found positive results for each format when compared to a control group, but to date, face-to-face and online manager mental health training have not been compared with one another.
Aims
This study brings together results from two trials evaluating the same program content, each employing a different mode of content delivery. Both types of training aimed to change managers' confidence to better support the mental health needs of the staff they supervise.
Methods
Utilising data derived from two previously conducted trials, mean change in manager confidence from baseline at both post-intervention and follow-up were examined for each method of content delivery. An identical way of measuring confidence was used in each study.
Results
Managers' confidence improved from baseline with both methods of training. A greater change was observed with face-to-face training than for online, although both methods had sustained improvement over time. Analyses indicate that at follow-up, improvements in confidence were significant for both face-to-face (t18 = 5.99; P < .001) and online training (t39 = 3.85; P < .001). Analyses focused on managers who fully completed either type of training indicated very similar impacts for face-to-face and online training.
Conclusions
Both face-to-face and online delivery of manager mental health training can significantly improve managers’ confidence in supporting the mental health needs of their staff. This change is sustained over various follow-up periods. However, lower retention rates common in online training reduce the relative effect of this method of delivery.
In recognition of the important role managers play in the well-being of the staff they supervise, many workplaces are implementing specialised training for leaders to help them better understand and support the mental health needs of their staff. This training can be delivered through face-to-face or online training sessions. Evaluation of such programs have found positive results for each format when compared to a control group, but to date, face-to-face and online manager mental health training have not been compared with one another.
Aims
This study brings together results from two trials evaluating the same program content, each employing a different mode of content delivery. Both types of training aimed to change managers' confidence to better support the mental health needs of the staff they supervise.
Methods
Utilising data derived from two previously conducted trials, mean change in manager confidence from baseline at both post-intervention and follow-up were examined for each method of content delivery. An identical way of measuring confidence was used in each study.
Results
Managers' confidence improved from baseline with both methods of training. A greater change was observed with face-to-face training than for online, although both methods had sustained improvement over time. Analyses indicate that at follow-up, improvements in confidence were significant for both face-to-face (t18 = 5.99; P < .001) and online training (t39 = 3.85; P < .001). Analyses focused on managers who fully completed either type of training indicated very similar impacts for face-to-face and online training.
Conclusions
Both face-to-face and online delivery of manager mental health training can significantly improve managers’ confidence in supporting the mental health needs of their staff. This change is sustained over various follow-up periods. However, lower retention rates common in online training reduce the relative effect of this method of delivery.
Date Issued
2019-07-13
Date Acceptance
2019-07-04
Citation
Internet Interventions, 2019, 18, pp.1-6
ISSN
2214-7829
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Start Page
1
End Page
6
Journal / Book Title
Internet Interventions
Volume
18
Copyright Statement
© 2019 Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/BY-NC-ND/4.0/).
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782919300223?via%3Dihub
Subjects
Social Sciences
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Psychology, Clinical
Health Care Sciences & Services
Medical Informatics
Psychiatry
Psychology
Manager
Supervisor training
Workplace mental health
Mental health education
Online intervention
PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS
DISABILITY
EMPLOYMENT
WORKPLACE
BEHAVIOR
Manager
Mental health education
Online intervention
Supervisor training
Workplace mental health
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
100258
Date Publish Online
2019-07-13