Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Dec 6, 2024; 12(34): 6679-6683
Published online Dec 6, 2024. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i34.6679
What is the role of cognitive-behavioral career coaching in mitigating work anxiety and depression among public employees?
Haewon Byeon
Haewon Byeon, Department of Digital Anti-aging Healthcare, INJE Medical Big Data Center, Inje University, Gimhae 50834, South Korea
Author contributions: Byeon H designed the study; Byeon H involved in data interpretation; Byeon H developed methodology; Byeon H preformed the statistical analysis, and assisted with writing the article.
Supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education; No. NRF- RS-2023-00237287; and No. NRF-2021S1A5A8062526; Local Government-University Cooperation-Based Regional Innovation Projects, No. 2021RIS-003.
Conflict-of-interest statement: No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Haewon Byeon, DSc, PhD, Associate Professor, Director, Department of Digital Anti-aging Healthcare, Inje University, #197 Injero, Gimhae 50834, South Korea. bhwpuma@naver.com
Received: June 19, 2024
Revised: August 14, 2024
Accepted: September 5, 2024
Published online: December 6, 2024
Processing time: 115 Days and 0.3 Hours
Abstract

This editorial explores the study by Mkpoikanke Sunday Otu and Maximus Monaheng Sefotho on the use of cognitive-behavioral career coaching (CBCC) to reduce work anxiety and depression among public employees. Public sector workers often face significant psychological stressors, leading to mental health issues that impair well-being and job performance. The study employed a group-randomized trial design, involving 120 public employees diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression. Participants were divided into a treatment group, receiving CBCC, and a control group with no intervention. Results showed a significant reduction in anxiety and depression levels in the treatment group, sustained through follow-up assessments. The findings underscore the clinical relevance of CBCC as an effective intervention for improving mental health among public employees. Future research should explore the scalability of CBCC across different sectors and cultural contexts, as well as its integration with other mental health interventions. This editorial advocates for the broader implementation of CBCC practices in public service to enhance employee productivity and psychological well-being. By addressing cognitive distortions and fostering adaptive coping mechanisms, CBCC can help public employees navigate complex professional environments, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more efficient workforce.

Keywords: Cognitive-behavioral career coaching; Public sector employees; Mental Health; Anxiety; Depression

Core Tip: This editorial highlights the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral career coaching (CBCC) in reducing work anxiety and depression among public employees. Utilizing a group-randomized trial, the study by Otu and Sefotho demonstrated significant mental health improvements in participants receiving CBCC compared to a control group. The findings suggest CBCC as a valuable intervention for enhancing psychological well-being and job performance in the public sector. Future research should explore its broader applicability and integration with other mental health strategies. Implementing CBCC can lead to a healthier, more productive workforce in public service.