NCT06989398 Implementation of the ASCEND Training for Supervisors in Dutch Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
| NCT ID | NCT06989398 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | VU University of Amsterdam |
| Condition | Occupational Health |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 148 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-05-14 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-12 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 148 participants in total. It began in 2025-05-14 with a primary completion date of 2026-12.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
This cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Dutch adaptation of an in-person group intervention for workplace supervisors - Advancing Supervisors' Capacity for Mental Health at Work (ASCEND) - in Dutch Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The ASCEND intervention is designed to equip supervisors with the skills to: i) know when to support their workers; ii) how to direct workers to support, and iii) advocate for action on mental health at work. The primary objectives of this project are to: * Assess to what extent the Dutch adaptation of the WHO-developed ASCEND intervention is effective in enhancing supervisors' confidence, responsiveness, mental health literacy, and self-care practices, and in reducing supervisor stigma towards mental health conditions within Dutch SMEs. * Evaluate the impact of the ASCEND intervention on employee outcomes, including mental health and work-related outcomes among supervisees (i.e., subordinates), as well as overall organizational absenteeism rates. * Identify barriers, facilitators, and key implementation and adoption indicators to support future opportunities for scaling up the ASCEND intervention. Researchers will compare two groups to evaluate the effectiveness of the ASCEND intervention. One group will receive the training (the intervention group), while the other group will receive the training after the final follow-up period (the control group). Data will be collected from both supervisors and their supervisees (i.e., subordinates) via online questionnaires at various time points. In addition, general organizational information, including absenteeism rates, will be gathered through a representative from each participating organization. To further explore the feasibility of scaling up the ASCEND intervention within the Netherlands, qualitative data will be collected through interviews and/or focus group discussions.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion for SMEs: * Having 10 to 250 employees * Being located in the Netherlands In case of insufficient recruitment among SMEs, a mitigation strategy is to recruit public and non-profit organizations with 10 to 250 employees, and units of larger organizations employing between 10 and 250 employees Eligibility criteria for individual participants: Supervisors are included if they fit the following inclusion criteria: * 18 years or older * Working in an organization in the Netherlands * Sufficient mastery (written and spoken) of the language in which the ASCEND intervention is being delivered (i.e., Dutch or English) * Written informed consent before entering the study * Supervise at least 1 supervisee within the same organization Supervisees are included if they fit the following inclusion criteria: * 18 years or older * Have a direct supervisor who is participating in ASCEND (either intervention or control group) * Sufficient mastery of English or Dutch * Written informed consent before entering the study
Contact & Investigator
Mark van Vugt, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
VU University of Amsterdam
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06989398 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Occupational Health. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06989398 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06989398 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at a.s.brizar@vu.nl for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06989398 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06989398 clinical trial?
NCT06989398 is sponsored by VU University of Amsterdam. The principal investigator is Mark van Vugt, PhD at VU University of Amsterdam. The trial plans to enroll 148 participants.