Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Positive Psychology Interventions in Workplace Settings

Kevin Martínez-Martínez, Valeria Cruz-Ortiz (), Susana Llorens, Marisa Salanova and Marcelo Leiva-Bianchi
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Kevin Martínez-Martínez: WANT Research Team, Department of Social Psychology, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
Valeria Cruz-Ortiz: WANT Research Team, Department of Social Psychology, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
Susana Llorens: WANT Research Team, Department of Social Psychology, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
Marisa Salanova: WANT Research Team, Department of Social Psychology, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
Marcelo Leiva-Bianchi: Laboratory of Methodology, Behavioural Sciences and Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-22

Abstract: Job stress and burnout are major challenges in today’s workplaces. While most interventions adopt a clinical or deficit-based approach, this meta-analysis takes a positive perspective by examining the effectiveness of Positive Psychological Interventions (PPIs). A total of 24 studies conducted in workplace settings were analyzed to assess the impact of PPIs on psychological well-being, subjective well-being, and job performance. The results showed significant and sustained improvements across all three outcomes, with moderate effect sizes: subjective well-being (g = 0.50, 95% CI [0.18, 0.81]), psychological well-being (g = 0.46, 95% CI [0.15, 0.78]), and performance (g = 0.42, 95% CI [0.21, 0.62]). Higher effects were found for in-person interventions and those conducted in Western contexts. No significant moderation was observed for structural factors (e.g., implementation level: Individual, Group, Leader, or Organization [IGLO]) or sample characteristics (e.g., gender), among other variables examined. These findings highlight the relevance of PPIs for promoting well-being and sustaining performance, which may reflect the preservation of personal resources in the face of occupational stressors. Regardless of type, well-designed interventions may be key to fostering healthier workplace environments—especially when delivered face-to-face.

Keywords: workplace stress; burnout; positive interventions; well-being; performance; workplace (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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