Impact of self-management interventions in workers with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms

Abstract Background The presence of depressive symptoms poses a considerable concern in ensuring the long-term health and work performance of employees. Online self-management interventions may empower employees to improve their mental health at home and in the workplace. There is a lack of research evaluating the effectiveness of self-management intervention components for workers with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms across work sectors. This systematic review aims to examine the effectiveness of self-management interventions and their components on mental, health-related, and work-related outcomes of workers with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms across work sectors. Methods Systematic review of randomized controlled trials of single and multiple component self-management interventions to assess their effects on depression, anxiety, health-related, and work-related outcomes among employees, conducted according to Cochrane guidelines. Intervention types were analysed across seven categories based on work and individual-level component descriptions. Results 32 single-component and 39 multi-component interventions were included out of 4450 records. Cognitive behavioral therapy was found to be an essential component of effective multi-component interventions, followed by mind-body and lifestyle management components. Social environment, physical exercise, and general education components appear most useful as part of a multi-component intervention. Current research remains limited, offering little attention to the diversity of work sectors and the role of organisational or workplace modifications from the perspective of worker self-management. Conclusions Findings indicate that multi-component self-management interventions are more effective than single-component interventions. Future research should prioritize designing multi-component interventions that integrate effective components tailored to the self-management needs of employees across diverse work sectors. Key messages • This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of single- and multi-component interventions to improve self-management and long-term health in workers with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms. • This review identifies current research gaps and outlines future directions to inform effective intervention design to enhance the long-term health and work performance of employees.