In recent years, the well-being of technical and administrative staff (PTA) in Italian universities has garnered increasing attention, especially in light of institutional changes and the intensified pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluates a tailored workplace intervention aimed at supporting stress management among PTA within the academic context.
The intervention was delivered at a Northern Italian university through two group sessions held two weeks apart. A total of 66 PTA employees voluntarily participated and were assigned to small groups of 10-15 individuals based on professional role. The sessions incorporated experiential exercises, reflective writing, and case discussions to enhance awareness of stressors and bolster both individual and organizational coping resources.
Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using validated measures of work engagement, emotional exhaustion, perceived stress, and psychological capital. Valid responses included in the analyses comprised 28 participants in the intervention group and 21 in the control group. Participant satisfaction and process data were also collected via facilitator field notes.
Findings indicated high participant satisfaction and perceived usefulness of the intervention in raising stress management awareness. However, repeated-measures analyses revealed no statistically significant changes over time or differences between groups on psychological outcomes. The brief duration and individual-level focus of the intervention may have limited its capacity to yield measurable effects.
Despite its implementation within a single institution, this study underscores the complexity of designing and evaluating stress-reduction programs in academic settings. It offers practical insights for future multi-level interventions aimed at enhancing PTA psychological well-being, highlighting the need for sustained engagement and organizational support to foster lasting impact.