Better quality of life, health and work participation: Effects of the Wellbeing course

Should our final findings support significant positive effects, the intervention may be disseminated to HLCs and NAVs nationwide in Norway in and thus reach a very large number of individuals in need.

Background: Society is facing major challenges in terms of an increased burden of preventable health problems, high work absence, demographic changes and rising social inequalities in health. Health promotion and illness prevention is crucial for sustaining and increasing employment rates, for maintaining sustainable welfare systems, and for improving population health and wellbeing. Effective health promotive and illness preventive measures are therefore highly warranted. The 5 Ways to Wellbeing course is a 6-week course targeting individuals at risk of compromised health and low wellbeing, aiming to improve the participants’ wellbeing by practicing the five ways to wellbeing activities: to connect, to be active, to take notice, to keep learning and to give.

Aims: To scientifically evaluate the 5 Ways to Wellbeing course, a novel course-based measure aiming to promote wellbeing, social integration, health, and work adherence.

Methods:
We investigate course effects on subjective wellbeing, self-reported health, and work adherence among two different groups with varying health and work life integration, namely i) clients in Norwegian Healthy Life Centres (HLCs) (N=300) and ii) users of the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) system (N=100). The course participants are compared to two groups of control subjects, including i) 1200 individuals participating in the Healthy Life Centre study (in a non-randomised trial) and ii) 100 individuals in NAV receiving follow up as usual (in a randomised controlled trial). Outcome measures include subjective wellbeing, physical and mental health, mastery, social integration, physical activity, and work adherence. Outcomes are assessed using validated measuring tools at four time points: before course start, directly after course end, and at 6 and 15 months after the end of the course.

Results and conclusions: The study is ongoing, and data are still being collected. Preliminary analyses have been conducted, however and final results will be presented at the conference. Preliminary analyses show highly promising results for a number of outcomes, including improved life satisfaction, reduced loneliness, better self-rated health, and higher work adherence after attending the course. Should our final findings support significant positive effects, the intervention may be disseminated to HLCs and NAVs nationwide in Norway and thus reach a very large number of individuals in need.