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The effectiveness of brief workplace compassion-focussed training in improving wellbeing of stressed school employees

Author

Listed:
  • Karyn L Healy

    (School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Queensland Department of Education, Brisbane, QLD, Australia)

  • Kirsty Payne

    (Queensland Department of Education, Brisbane, QLD, Australia)

  • James N Kirby

    (Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Queensland Department of Education, Brisbane, QLD, Australia)

Abstract

Australian teachers and school employees report high levels of stress-related mental health problems. Previous theory and research show that workplace training in strategies to manage stress can improve organisational productivity as well as employee wellbeing. Theory suggests that self-compassion strategies may produce better outcomes, than standard cognitive behavioural training interventions, due to activation of self-soothing. This pilot randomised controlled trial evaluated whether inclusion of a brief compassion-focussed therapy (CFT) training workshop was more effective in reducing stress-related mental health problems of school employees, than the standard professional development (PD) workshop that incorporated cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness strategies. School employees (103) were recruited and randomly allocated to either the standard PD alone or to also participate in a brief CFT workshop. There were very large reductions in burnout and clinically significant improvements in mental health problems under both conditions. The results provide preliminary evidence that CFT-enhanced training improves secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction; further research needs to be conducted with a larger sample. These results may also be relevant to other occupations with a high emotional load. JEL Classification: I310

Suggested Citation

  • Karyn L Healy & Kirsty Payne & James N Kirby, 2025. "The effectiveness of brief workplace compassion-focussed training in improving wellbeing of stressed school employees," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 50(3), pages 728-748, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ausman:v:50:y:2025:i:3:p:728-748
    DOI: 10.1177/03128962241270860
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Clarke, Marilyn Alexandra & Hill, Sally Rao, 2012. "Promoting employee wellbeing and quality service outcomes: The role of HRM practices," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 18(5), pages 702-713, September.
    2. Rebecca W. M. Lau & W. H. Mak, 2017. "Effectiveness of Workplace Interventions for Depression in Asia: A Meta-Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(2), pages 21582440177, June.
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