@article{Muschalla2017, author = {Muschalla, Beate}, title = {Work-anxiety-coping intervention improves work-coping perception while a recreational intervention leads to deterioration}, series = {European journal of work and organizational psychology : the official journal of The European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology}, volume = {26}, journal = {European journal of work and organizational psychology : the official journal of The European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology}, number = {6}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {1359-432X}, doi = {10.1080/1359432X.2017.1384378}, pages = {858 -- 869}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Work-anxieties are costly and need early intervention. The perception of being able to cope with work is a basic requirement for work ability. This randomized controlled trial investigates whether a cognitive behavioural, work-anxiety-coping group (WAG) intervention leads to better work-coping perception than an unspecific recreational group (RG). Heterogeneous people in medical rehabilitation, who were due to return to work, were interviewed concerning their work-anxieties, and either randomly assigned to a WAG (n=85) or a RG (n=95). The participants (with an average of 50years old [range 23-64]; 51\% women; 70\% workers or employees, 25\% academics, 5\% unskilled) followed the group intervention for four or six sessions. The perceived work-coping was assessed by self-rating (Inventory for Job-Coping and Return Intention JoCoRi) after each group session. Although participants had a slight temporary decrease in work-coping after group session two (from M-1=2.47 to M-2=2.28, d(Cohen)=-.22), the WAG led to the improvement of perceived work-coping over the intervention course (from M-1=2.47 to M-6=2.65, d(Cohen)=.18). In contrast, participants from the RG reported lower work-coping after six group sessions (from M-1=2.26 to M-6=2.02, d(Cohen)=-.18). It is considered that people with work-anxieties need training in work-coping. By focusing on recreation only, this may lead to deterioration of work-coping. Indeed, intervention designers should be aware of temporary deterioration (side effects) when confronting participants with work-coping.}, language = {en} }