Implementation of the ASCEND Training for Supervisors in Dutch Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

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.

NCT Number	NCT06989398
Lead Sponsor	VU University of Amsterdam Collaborators: World Health Organization, University of Copenhagen, University Hospital Heidelberg
Conditions	Occupational Health, Stress, Burnout, Mental Health Conditions, Sickness Absence
Enrollment	148 participants
Start Date	2025-05-14
Primary Completion	2026-12 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-02 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-07-21