The wellbeing protocol mitigates the effects of COVID-19 on stress and burnout: a qualitative analysis of the underlying mechanisms
ISSN: 1366-5626
Article publication date: 13 July 2022
Issue publication date: 12 October 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to convey and analyze participants’ experience of an online mindfulness-based workplace wellness program, The Wellbeing Protocol, during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, with the aim of understanding the underlying mechanisms of how the program impacted stress, burnout and mental wellbeing.
Design/methodology/approach
New Zealand teachers participated in an online mindfulness-based wellness program in 2020. Participants’ experience was captured via focus groups and open-ended survey questions collected before, immediately after and three months following the intervention. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Findings
Three themes emerged: self-awareness and nonreactivity may facilitate a reduction in stress levels, the purposeful cultivation of self-care and positive emotions may be a precursor to enhanced wellbeing and positive relationships with others and evidence of effectiveness at work may mitigate burnout symptoms. Findings depicted effective strategies to improve wellbeing as well as promising areas for further research.
Practical implications
For school settings: participants’ positive appraisals of the program suggest The Wellbeing Protocol might be a suitable option to support teacher wellbeing. For workplaces: the positive outcomes related to improved effectiveness and relationships at work, as well as the program’s flexibility related to its short length and online delivery, might make it a potential option to support employee wellbeing.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the impact of a mindfulness-based intervention on New Zealand teachers, the first to explore the impact of the Wellbeing Protocol and one of few studies that have investigated an online mindfulness-based intervention. It has multiple qualitative data sources and a follow-up of three months.
Keywords
Citation
Toma, G., Rubie-Davies, C. and Le Fevre, D. (2022), "The wellbeing protocol mitigates the effects of COVID-19 on stress and burnout: a qualitative analysis of the underlying mechanisms", Journal of Workplace Learning, Vol. 34 No. 8, pp. 725-741. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-09-2021-0123
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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