Development and Validation of an Evidence-Based, Self-Guided, Single Session Digital Intervention to Prevent Workplace Burnout & Enhance Psychological Wellness

This study is a randomized, double-arm, online clinical trial evaluating a self-guided, single-session digital intervention for burnout in employed adults. The research is conducted as part of a Ph.D. dissertation of Ehsan Etezad, PhD Candidate in Applied Organizational Psychology at Saint Mary's University under the supervision of Dr. John Fiset (faculty member at Saint Mary's University), with co-investigator Dr. Raghid Al-Hajj (Gulf University for Science and Technology, Kuwait).

The intervention was developed based on a comprehensive systematic review (Phase 1 of the dissertation) that screened 2,349 records and included 27 final studies examining self-guided digital mental health interventions. The design and content of the current intervention are grounded in the best practices identified through that systematic review.

Participants are recruited through Prolific, a third-party online survey panel designed for academic research. The research team posts a study listing that includes a brief description, estimated completion time, compensation, and general eligibility requirements. All recruitment occurs through the Prolific platform with no direct contact between investigators and potential participants.

Eligible participants are presented with an electronic informed consent form describing study procedures, expected time commitment, risks and benefits, confidentiality, voluntary participation, and contact information for the study team and local crisis resources. Consented participants complete a baseline assessment comprising demographic questions and validated outcome measures.

After baseline assessment, participants are randomized (1:1) to the experimental intervention or the active control. Allocation is concealed from participants until they begin their assigned module. The active control condition matches the intervention arm in length, structure, and user experience while intentionally omitting the specific therapeutic ingredients. The active control focuses on creative writing and is non-therapeutic, ensuring that any observed effects can be attributed to the intervention's active components rather than general factors such as time spent, format, attention, or digital engagement. After completing the T3 follow-up survey, all participants in the active control group receive access to the full intervention to ensure equitable access to the intervention's potential benefits.