Uptake and engagement with digital mental health in the workplace: A mixed-methods analysis of the EMPOWER trial
Por:
Peeters SB, de Mul M, Thielen FW, Sinokki M, Staszewska K, Salvador-Carulla L, Lukersmith S, Olaya B and Hakkaart-van Roijen L
Publicada:
1 mar 2026
Ahead of Print:
1 ene 2026
Resumen:
This study examined contextual factors influencing the uptake and use of the EMPOWER digital mental health platform, implemented in small and medium-sized enterprises and public agencies in Spain, Poland, Finland, and the United Kingdom. The platform was developed within an EU-funded project to promote workplace mental health and evaluated in a randomised controlled trial assessing its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. A mixed-methods design was applied combining logistic regression analyses of baseline employee data with qualitative semi-structured interviews exploring barriers and facilitators to engagement. Results indicated that successful uptake was supported by strong employer involvement, a positive workplace culture, clear communication of benefits and data privacy, tailoring of content to employee needs, and available technical support. Barriers included insufficient communication, limited organisational support, lack of allocated time for use, unclear instructions, and concerns about anonymity. Employers often expressed reluctance to take responsibility for facilitating implementation, reflecting low organisational readiness. While the platform itself was generally regarded as user-friendly, its integration into daily workplace practices was inconsistent, with many employees using it outside of working hours. In conclusion, effective and sustainable implementation of digital workplace mental health interventions requires more active stakeholder engagement, clearer and sustained communication strategies, and alignment with organisational policies and structures. Addressing these contextual factors is essential for maximising uptake and ensuring that digital health platforms such as EMPOWER achiever their intended impact in supporting mental health at work.
Filiaciones:
Peeters SB:
Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
de Mul M:
Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Thielen FW:
Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Sinokki M:
Länsirannikon Työterveys, Turku, Finland
Unit of Public Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Staszewska K:
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
Salvador-Carulla L:
Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, ACT, Australia
Lukersmith S:
Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, ACT, Australia
Olaya B:
Research, Innovation and Teaching Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Ministry of Science and Innovation, Madrid, Spain
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
Hakkaart-van Roijen L:
Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Green Submitted, gold
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