The Effect of Educational Intervention Based on Virtual Social Network on Occupational Stress among Employees of Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Stress is one of the major problems in life and occupation is one of the most important factors that cause it. This study aimed to investigate the effect of educational intervention based on virtual social networks on occupational stress among employees of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

The present semi-experimental study was conducted among 122 employees of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, who were randomly assigned to intervention (n=59) and control (n=63) groups, in 2022. The data collection tool was questionnaires of job stress and knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding stress, which were completed before and two months after the educational intervention. The training program was implemented virtually for the intervention group within a month with the methods of educational videos, audio files, images, and text messages. The data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using independent t-test, paired t-test and ANCOVA.

There was no significant difference in the average score of knowledge, attitude, and performance between the two intervention and control groups before the intervention, but two months after the educational intervention, by adjusting the effect of pre-test scores, the average score of knowledge, attitude and practice in the intervention group increased significantly. (P<0.001). The average occupational stress score in the intervention group decreased from 118.26 to 117.20, which was significant compared to the control group (P<0.001).

Considering the effectiveness of educational intervention based on virtual social networks on increasing knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding stress as well as management of occupational stress, it is recommended to design and implement educational interventions using modern technologies and virtual spaces to improve mental health in the workplaces.