ArticleJMIR human factors2025
Exploring the Impact of Digital Peer Support Services on Meeting Unmet Needs Within an Employee Assistance Program: Retrospective Cohort Study.
Article in JMIR human factors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- AI-Assisted Analysis of Sentiment Changes Among Repeat Users of Digital Peer Support: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Use of Digital Peer Support for Employee Well-Being: Retrospective Analysis Across Five Large Employers.JMIR human factors · 2026Article
- Effectiveness of Hybrid AI and Human Suicide Detection Within Digital Peer Support.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Occupational psychosocial risks as predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress among hospital employees.PloS one · 2026Article
- Mobile apps, AI, and teletherapy: a comprehensive review of digital mental health tools for nurses.Frontiers in public health · 2025Review
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundThe World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 4 people worldwide will experience a mental disorder in their lifetime, highlighting the need for accessible support.
objectiveThis study evaluates the integration of digital peer support (DPS) into an employee assistance program (EAP), testing 3 hypotheses: (1) DPS may be associated with changes in EAP counseling utilization within a 5-session model; (2) DPS users experience reduced sadness, loneliness, and stress; and (3) DPS integration generates a positive social return on investment (SROI).
methodsThe study analyzed EAP utilization within a 5-session model using pre-post analysis, sentiment changes during DPS chats via natural language processing models, and SROI outcomes.
resultsAmong 587 DPS chats, 432 (73.6%) occurred after business hours, emphasizing the importance of 24/7 availability. A matched cohort analysis (n=72) showed that DPS reduced therapy sessions by 2.07 per participant (P<.001; Cohen d=1.77). Users' messages were evaluated for sentiments of sadness, loneliness, and stress on a 1-10 scale. Significant reductions were observed: loneliness decreased by 55.04% (6.91 to 3.11), sadness by 57.5% (6.84 to 2.91), and stress by 56.57% (6.78 to 2.95). SROI analysis demonstrated value-to-investment ratios of US $1.66 (loneliness), US $2.50 (stress), and US $2.58 (sadness) per dollar invested.
conclusionsIntegrating DPS into EAPs provides significant benefits, including increased access, improved emotional outcomes, and a high SROI, reinforcing its value within emotional health support ecosystems.
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