Development and evaluation of a cognitive-emotional skills program to promote work-life balance

• Grant number: 20/09362-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2021
• End date: May 12, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Social Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Joan Barham
• Grantee: Gabriela Trombeta Santos
• Host Institution: Centro de Educação e Ciências Humanas (CECH). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/05898-7 - Work-life balance, gender and diversity: analyzing the effects of an intervention program and expanding equity practices in the academic field, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Many workers struggle to conciliate paid work demands with the rest of their lives, especially family demands. Though such difficulties are often associated with physical and psychological harm for the individuals and their families, access to resources to deal with difficulties is very limited in Brazil, both due to the lack of evidence-based interventions and to the difficulty in gaining access to mental health services. Considering these issues, this study aims to develop and evaluate the implementation of an intervention to reduce work-family conflict using a mobile app. Taking into account that healthy changes stem from investments in aligning feelings, thoughts, and actions, with the goal of maintaining or improving interpersonal relationships, the proposed intervention program will be based on a mindfulness training program, aiming to improve emotional regulation so as to facilitate constructive reflections on how to manage difficulties related to work-family balance. Participants will include 100 adults over 18 years of age, who exercise some type of paid activity, who will be randomly assigned to the intervention or waiting list groups. Study participants will complete a pre-test protocol, weekly evaluations during the intervention period, and follow-up measures 1 month and 3 months after the intervention. Qualitative and frequency analyses will be used to evaluate the intervention process, considering the usability and social acceptance of the mobile app, as well as the participants' absorption and application of concepts in their everyday lives. Statistical analyses will be used to evaluate the effects of the intervention on participants' work-family conflict, management of work-family boundaries, awareness and attention, and psychological detachment. If significant improvements in work-family conflict and low dropout rates among participants are identified, the app will be adapted to be available for the general population.