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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0PLOS One

Evaluating the effectiveness and cost–benefit of a worksite mental health program among manufacturing workers: A study protocol for a quasi-experimental study

  • Wei Sen Yim1
  • Bala Murali Sundram2
  • Amirah Azzeri3
  • Yin Cheng Lim4
  • Rama Krishna Supramaniam
  • Suriya Kumareswaran Vallasamy
  • Siti Nurani Hassan
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  2. 2Public Health Unit, Department of Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam, Nilai, Seremban, Malaysia
  3. 3Infectious Disease Unit, Public Health Division, Johor State Health Department, Nilai, Seremban, Malaysia
  4. 4Consultation Research and Development (CRD), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia (NIOSH), Nilai, Seremban, Malaysia
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Abstract

Background: Mental health problems lead to the loss of about 12 billion workdays worldwide each year. This creates a major economic burden. In food manufacturing, workers often face various psychosocial stressors. These include high workload, time constraint, repetitive tasks, and low autonomy. These conditions can affect both mental health and work performance. Workplace mental health interventions have shown promising results in mental health improvement. However, most studies come from high-income countries and service sectors. There is still limited evidence from industrial settings in middle-income countries. To address this gap, a structured Worksite Mental Health Program (WMHP) was developed. Method: This study will employ a quasi-experimental two arm repeated measures design among workers from food manufacturing factories in Malaysia. The intervention group will receive an eight week WMHP including psychoeducation, mindfulness practices, progressive muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises. The comparison group will continue with routine workplace practices and receive a general mental health information pamphlet. Assessments will be carried out at baseline, one month post intervention, and at three months follow up. Primary outcomes include depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout. Secondary outcomes include job satisfaction, absenteeism, presenteeism, and economic outcomes. Changes over time will be analysed using Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE). A cost–benefit analysis (CBA) will also be conducted to assess economic impact. Anticipated results: The program is expected to improve mental health and work performance, while simultaneously reducing absenteeism and presenteeism. The economic evaluation is expected to demonstrate positive productivity gains associated with the program. Conclusion: This study will provide evidence on the effectiveness and economic value of a workplace mental health intervention in an industrial setting, informing workplace health strategies in Malaysia and similar contexts. Trial registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR): TCTR20241217003

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{yim2026evaluating,
  title = {{Evaluating the effectiveness and cost–benefit of a worksite mental health program among manufacturing workers: A study protocol for a quasi-experimental study}},
  author = {Wei Sen Yim and Bala Murali Sundram and Amirah Azzeri and Yin Cheng Lim and Rama Krishna Supramaniam and Suriya Kumareswaran Vallasamy and Siti Nurani Hassan},
  journal = {PLOS One},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0360481},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0360481},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Evaluating the effectiveness and cost–benefit of a worksite mental health program among manufacturing workers: A study protocol for a quasi-experimental study
AU  - Wei Sen Yim
AU  - Bala Murali Sundram
AU  - Amirah Azzeri
AU  - Yin Cheng Lim
AU  - Rama Krishna Supramaniam
AU  - Suriya Kumareswaran Vallasamy
AU  - Siti Nurani Hassan
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/12
JO  - PLOS One
DO  - 10.1371/journal.pone.0360481
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0360481
AB  - Background: Mental health problems lead to the loss of about 12 billion workdays worldwide each year. This creates a major economic burden. In food manufacturing, workers often face various psychosocial stressors. These include high workload, time constraint, repetitive tasks, and low autonomy. These conditions can affect both mental health and work performance. Workplace mental health interventions have shown promising results in mental health improvement. However, most studies come from high-income countries and service sectors. There is still limited evidence from industrial settings in middle-income countries. To address this gap, a structured Worksite Mental Health Program (WMHP) was developed. Method: This study will employ a quasi-experimental two arm repeated measures design among workers from food manufacturing factories in Malaysia. The intervention group will receive an eight week WMHP including psychoeducation, mindfulness practices, progressive muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises. The comparison group will continue with routine workplace practices and receive a general mental health information pamphlet. Assessments will be carried out at baseline, one month post intervention, and at three months follow up. Primary outcomes include depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout. Secondary outcomes include job satisfaction, absenteeism, presenteeism, and economic outcomes. Changes over time will be analysed using Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE). A cost–benefit analysis (CBA) will also be conducted to assess economic impact. Anticipated results: The program is expected to improve mental health and work performance, while simultaneously reducing absenteeism and presenteeism. The economic evaluation is expected to demonstrate positive productivity gains associated with the program. Conclusion: This study will provide evidence on the effectiveness and economic value of a workplace mental health intervention in an industrial setting, informing workplace health strategies in Malaysia and similar contexts. Trial registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR): TCTR20241217003
SN  - 1932-6203
ER  -