Case Study: The Effectiveness of the 8 Week WISE Program for Child Protection Practitioners at DFFH (2015)

 

Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess whether our eight week WISE program would improve resilience, health and psychological outcomes (stress, depression and anxiety) for employees, in particular Child Protection Practitioners, in the West Division at the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).

Methods: The pilot study explored the impact of WISE training and neuroplasticity on all levels of awareness, psychological wellbeing, depression, anxiety, tension/stress, sleep, resilience, empathic distress, vicarious trauma and coping ability. In addition, the study attempted to determine the impact of eight weeks of training  on blood pressure scores. Data was collected from participants pre and post intervention, as well as one month post program.

Results: The pilot showed improvement in all levels of mental resilience, psychological wellbeing measures, sleep and stress, compassion, as well as in resting blood pressure scores. The findings suggest that the eight week WISE program reduces psychological stress and distress, enhances psychological wellbeing, compassion, sleep and coping ability. It helps to reduce empathic distress and unhook from negative rumination (thereby reducing the severity and impact of vicarious trauma). Negative correlations between awareness and gratitude behaviours and depression scores were found, illustrating that as WISE training was being implemented, psychological distress decreased. Higher correlations post intervention were also found indicating a clear association between low awareness and high depression, anxiety and stress scores (and vice versa). A wide range of physical difficulties such as anxiety, high blood pressure, insomnia and migraines were also alleviated.

 

 

Perceived Stress
·        96% reported feeling calmer and more relaxed.
·        81% stated they were less ‘reactive’ and more able to recognise when they were in default mode.

·        58% of participants are still performing regular central nervous system regulation, relaxation, awareness, mindfulness or other stress reduction activities. This has increased from 20%.

Psychological Distress

·        93% stated they had coped better with difficult or stressful situations

·        An overall reduction in DASS scores(Depression, Anxiety, Stress) scores post intervention

·        A negative correlation coefficient found between awareness and DASS Scores.

Attention & Awareness

·        94% of participants had increases in their MAAS Score.

·        90% found their concentration and focus had improved

·        83% reported they were better able to listen attentively and communicate effectively

Sleep

·        66% reported improvements in sleep post intervention

Blood Pressure

·        Normal healthy range increased from 19.7% to 65.8%

·        Isolated Hypertension decreased from 21% to 9.8%

Post-intervention Follow-up

·        66% of participants still frequently using the WISE tools and coping mechanisms at work.

·        84% still participating in frequent informal or formal practices.

 

Conclusion: The Pilot Study has shown to be successful with potential merit as a proactive workplace mental health program for organisations looking to improve mental fitness, resilience, mental wellbeing and psychological safety (leadership) in their organisation.  The data collected has shown the WISE program effectively improves psychological resilience, health and psychological outcomes (perceived stress, and depression and anxiety scores) for employees at the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).