“It depends on the boss” – a qualitative study of multi-level interventions aiming at office workers’ movement behaviour and mental health

ABSTRACT

Purpose

This embedded qualitative study explored the acceptability, feasibility, and fidelity of two multi-level RCT interventions among office workers, aiming at improving movement behaviour to enhance mental health and cognition. The interventions addressed the organizational, environmental, and individual level.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 38 stakeholders after completion of the interventions. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

The interventions were well appreciated, and office workers attributed improvements in movement behaviour and wellbeing to the interventions. Especially the cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based counselling and free gym access were appreciated, feasible and delivered as planned. Participants described existing workplace norms as barriers to more activity, particularly for reducing sitting. Support from managers and team support were considered crucial components. However, delivering these components was difficult.

Conclusions

The findings support the design of the multi-level interventions for changing movement behaviour. Results highlight the potential of CBT for this target group and the importance of manager and team support. Desired effects of similar multi-level interventions, including CBT, might be achieved in future studies that carefully address the issues with feasibility and acceptability and the resulting low fidelity of some intervention components that were identified in this study.

KEYWORDS:

• Physical activity
• sedentary behaviour
• mental health
• behaviour change
• cognitive behavioural therapy
• feasibility
• acceptability
• fidelity
• workplace health promotion
• ecological model

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the participants of this study for their valuable contributions. We would like to thank Jane Salier Eriksson for proofing the translations of citations from Swedish to English.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Geolocation information

This research has been performed in Sweden.

Author contributions

LML, VB and LVK designed the study. LML was responsible for the recruitment process and collected all data except one focus group discussion which was conducted by VB. LML was main responsible for data analysis, interpretation, and manuscript writing, supported by BJT, VB and LVK. All authors have agreed on the final version of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The present research is part of the project Physical Activity Patterns and Healthy Brain Functions which was funded by the Knowledge foundation under Grant 20,160,040, and by the following companies: ICA gruppen, Intrum, SATS Elixia, Monark Exercise and Itrim Sweden. The project was co-produced with the companies to incorporate their views and input on the RCT design.

Notes on contributors

Lisa-Marie Larisch

Lisa-Marie Larisch is a PhD student at The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm. Her doctoral research project explores the potential of using the office workplace as an arena for promoting physical activity and mental health.

Lena V. Kallings

Lena V. Kalling is associate professor and senior lecturer in Physical activity and health at The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences. Her research focuses on methods to promote physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviour in health promotion as well as in prevention and treatment of diseases.

Britta Thedin Jakobsson

Britta Thedin Jakobsson and Senior Lecturer at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences. Research interests are physical activity and sport participation especially among children and youth during leisure time. Also, physical activity in schools and in the school subject Physical Education and Health.

Victoria Blom

Victoria Blom is associate professor in Psychology and senior lecturer in Leadership. She is also Head of the Department of Physical Activity and Health at The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences.