title: Reflecting peer-support groups in the prevention of stress and burnout: randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper is a report of a study to test the effect of participating in a reflecting peer-support group on self-reported health, burnout and on perceived changes in work conditions.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Stress-related conditions are one of the most common causes for long-term sick-leave. There is limited evidence for the effectiveness of person-directed interventions aimed at reducing stress levels in healthcare workers. Prior research in the relationship between support and burnout show somewhat inconsistent results.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial with peer-support groups as the intervention was conducted with 660 healthcare workers scoring above the 75th percentile on the exhaustion dimension of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. One hundred and fifty-one (22.9%) agreed to participate. The intervention started in 2002 with 51 participants (96.1% were women), 80 of whom constituted the control group. Potential differences in outcome measures 12 months after the intervention were compared using ancova, and data collected was completed in 2004. Qualitative content analyses were used to analyse reported experiences from group participation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant intervention effects were found for general health, perceived quantitative demands at work, participation and development opportunities at work and in support at work. Seven categories of experiences from participating were identified: talking to others in a similar situation, knowledge, sense of belonging, self-confidence, structure, relief of symptoms and behavioural change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peer-support groups using a problem-based method could be a useful and comparatively inexpensive tool in alleviating work-related stress and burnout.
authors: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section for Personal Injury Prevention, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. ulla.peterson@ki.se
authors: Ulla
authors: U
authors: Peterson
authors: Gunnar
authors: G
authors: Bergström
authors: Mats
authors: M
authors: Samuelsson
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Asberg
authors: Ake
authors: A
authors: Nygren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010379:Peer Group; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology