Understanding the outcomes of training to improve employee mental health: A novel framework for training transfer and effectiveness evaluation

Abstract

In this paper, we present the Integrated Training Transfer and Effectiveness Model (ITTEM), a dynamic model integrating dominant training transfer and training effectiveness models that can be used to evaluate whether mental health and wellbeing training interventions are transferred to the workplace and result in changes in emotions, cognitions and behaviours post-training. Through the integration of training transfer and training effectiveness literatures, the ITTEM aims to further our understanding of how we may enhance the effectiveness of training through optimising training transfer. We employ realist evaluation as our theoretical framework and argue that developing our understanding of what works for whom in which circumstances will enable us to improve how we design, implement, and evaluate training. We propose that pre- and post-training contextual factors influence the extent to which training mechanisms are triggered and bring about intended outcomes, in terms of emotions, cognitions, behaviours and improved employee mental health and wellbeing. The ITTEM can be used to develop our understanding of how and when training succeeds or fails. The ITTEM provides valuable insights in to how organisations may design future training to maximise the impact of transfer thus achieving the aims of protecting and promoting mental health and wellbeing.