Harmful and benign work stress and work resilience: A Delphi-study in employees and experts

Background and objectives

In this study, we introduce the concept of benign versus harmful work stress. Our objectives are to explore how to discern benign work stress from harmful work stress and to identify the factors that promote work resilience.

Methods

An online Delphi study with three rounds, incorporating open-ended questions and statements, was administered to mental health employees and experts. Statements were rated on a 7-point scale: an interquartile deviation (IQD ≤ 1) was considered as consensus.

Results

In the first round 20 employees and 14 experts were included, in the second round 87 employees and 35 experts, and in the third round 53 employees and nine experts. There was consensus about seven characteristics of harmful stress, eight of benign work stress, 24 individual factors that promote resilience, and eight team factors that promote resilience.

Conclusion

Consensus was achieved about factors relevant to benign versus harmful work stress and resilience at work