Bolstering group cohesion & reducing stress through implementation of Stress First Aid

Abstract

This quality improvement project sought to help health care workers (HCWs) identify and mitigate work-related stress using Stress First Aid. SFA training was offered to all psychiatric unit employees. Surveys assessing perceived stress, self-efficacy, and program outcomes were administered at four timepoints. Perceived stress significantly decline in the first post (p = .026) and was sustained. Self-efficacy showed no change across the four timepoints (p = .198). Group cohesion showed significant improvement from pre- to 3 months post (p = .002). Stress First Aid (SFA) is an evidence-based intervention that positively assists in the identification of stress and group cohesion.

Keywords: Group cohesion; Self-efficacy; Stress; Stress First Aid (SFA).