A Mixed-Methods Cluster Randomised Waitlist-Controlled Trial of a Goal-Based Behaviour Change Intervention Implemented in Workplaces

Laura Kudrna (), James Yates, Lailah Alidu, Karla Hemming, Laura Quinn, Kelly Ann Schmidtke, Janet Jones, Lena Al-Khudairy, Kate Jolly, Paul Bird, Niyah Campbell, Ila Bharatan, Agnieszka Latuszynska, Graeme Currie and Richard Lilford
Additional contact information
Laura Kudrna: Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham, Murray Learning Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
James Yates: Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, School of Nursing and Advanced Practice, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L2 2ER, UK
Lailah Alidu: Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham, Murray Learning Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Karla Hemming: Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham, Murray Learning Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Laura Quinn: Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham, Murray Learning Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Kelly Ann Schmidtke: Liberal Arts, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
Janet Jones: Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham, Murray Learning Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Lena Al-Khudairy: Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Medical School Building, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
Kate Jolly: Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham, Murray Learning Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Paul Bird: Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham, Murray Learning Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Niyah Campbell: Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Ila Bharatan: Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
Agnieszka Latuszynska: Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
Graeme Currie: Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
Richard Lilford: Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham, Murray Learning Centre, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 3, 1-18

Abstract: Previous research suggests a goal-based intervention called ‘mental contrasting and implementation intentions’ improves participants’ health and wellbeing. The present study sought to extend these findings to workplaces in the United Kingdom. A mixed-methods cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted with 28 workplaces and 225 staff. All participants deliberated on wishes (potential goals) about improving their health and wellbeing. In the intervention arm, participants were guided to think about the benefits and obstacles to achieving a wish (mental contrasting) and to plan actions to overcome these obstacles (implementation intentions). The results showed no substantive effect of the intervention on average self-reported progress towards what they wished to do for their health and wellbeing four weeks later (mean difference on a 1–7 scale: −0.19; 95% credible interval: −1.08–0.71). Unexpectedly, anxiety increased, and we found evidence that might suggest people identifying as men or of Asian ethnicity made less progress in the intervention group. To explain the results, qualitative focus group data were analysed, guided by normalisation process theory (NPT) and the behaviour change wheel (BCW). Three key themes emerged: insufficient differentiation from other approaches using writing/drawing (NPT), a mismatch between an internal motivational intervention and external barriers (NPT/BCW), and poor timing of opportunities (NPT/BCW). The discussion explores how these results can enhance future workplace health and wellbeing initiatives.

Keywords: workplaces; occupational health; behaviour change; goal setting; psychology; implementation science (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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