Building resources during organizational change: A longitudinal quasi-experimental field study on the effectiveness of a psychological resilience intervention

Abstract

The purpose of this quasi-experimental field study was to investigate the immediate and three-months follow-up effects of ‘ResilienceWise’, a resource-based resilience intervention, using a 2 (group) x 3 (time) mixed design. Participants in the intervention group were employees of a large Dutch insurance company facing organizational change. 91 participants completed the blended intervention: a combination of four coaching sessions and an online self-help intervention. The results of this group were compared to the results of a non-intervention control group of 140 employees. Positive immediate and long-term effects were found on the resilience resources of hope, self-efficacy, purpose in life, and positive affect; only immediate effects were found on positive relationships; no effects were found on optimism, environmental mastery, and mindfulness. Long-term, but not immediate effects were found on indicators of positive adaptation: task performance, general health, and recovery. A factor that predicted most of the immediate effects of the intervention was the strength of the coaching relationship. The results of this study confirm that resources can be enhanced in employees during organizational change and extend the existing evidence base that resource-based resilience interventions can be effective. These results are promising for employees in need of psychological resilience during organizational change.