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Well-Being and the Social Environment of Work: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies

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  • Kevin Daniels

    (Employment Systems and Institutions Group, Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
    What Works for Well-Being Centre, London WC1X 0JL, UK)

  • David Watson

    (Employment Systems and Institutions Group, Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
    What Works for Well-Being Centre, London WC1X 0JL, UK)

  • Cigdem Gedikli

    (Employment Systems and Institutions Group, Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
    What Works for Well-Being Centre, London WC1X 0JL, UK)

Abstract

There is consistent evidence that a good social environment in the workplace is associated with employee well-being. However, there has been no specific review of interventions to improve well-being through improving social environments at work. We conducted a systematic review of such interventions, and also considered performance as an outcome. We found eight studies of interventions. Six studies were of interventions that were based on introducing shared social activities into workgroups. Six out of the six studies demonstrated improvements in well-being across the sample (five studies), or for an identifiable sub-group (one study). Four out of the five studies demonstrated improvements in social environments, and four out of the five studies demonstrated improvements in indicators of performance. Analysis of implementation factors indicated that the interventions based on shared activities require some external facilitation, favorable worker attitudes prior to the intervention, and several different components. We found two studies that focused on improving fairness perceptions in the workplace. There were no consistent effects of these interventions on well-being or performance. We conclude that there is some evidence that interventions that increase the frequency of shared activities between workers can improve worker well-being and performance. We offer suggestions for improving the evidence base.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin Daniels & David Watson & Cigdem Gedikli, 2017. "Well-Being and the Social Environment of Work: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-16, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:8:p:918-:d:108481
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Xiaochang Chen & Xiaojun Liu & Wei Yu & Anran Tan & Chang Fu & Zongfu Mao, 2019. "Association between Cross-Cultural Social Adaptation and Overseas Life Satisfaction among Chinese Medical Aid Team Members (CMATMs) in Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-11, May.
    3. Maria Luisa Scapellato & Vera Comiati & Alessandra Buja & Giulia Buttignol & Romina Valentini & Valentina Burati & Lucia La Serra & Isabella Maccà & Paola Mason & Pasquale Scopa & Anna Volpin & Andrea, 2018. "Combined Before-and-After Workplace Intervention to Promote Healthy Lifestyles in Healthcare Workers (STI-VI Study): Short-Term Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-14, September.
    4. Samma Faiz Rasool & Mansi Wang & Yanping Zhang & Madeeha Samma, 2020. "Sustainable Work Performance: The Roles of Workplace Violence and Occupational Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-12, February.

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