Developing a psychological wellbeing intervention for psychological professional trainees: a collaborative and theory-informed intervention development process

Owen, Joel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5262-4224, Fisher, Paul, Biggart, Laura ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1233-9787, Kishita, Naoko ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8453-2714 and Sanderson, Kristy ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3132-2745 (2026) Developing a psychological wellbeing intervention for psychological professional trainees: a collaborative and theory-informed intervention development process. Cognitive Behaviour Therapist. ISSN 1754-470X (In Press)

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Abstract

Background: There is recognition of the need to design wellbeing interventions in contextually sensitive ways, and report systematic, theory-driven approaches to intervention development. However, many intervention studies in the burgeoning literature on psychological professional trainee wellbeing do not include information on processes or theory surrounding the development of interventions tested. Methods: This theory- and stakeholder-informed intervention development study was guided by the MRC framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions (Skivington et al., 2021) and underpinned by the COM-B model of behaviour change (Michie et al., 2011). Evidence and theory were used to support an initial intervention outline. Meetings were subsequently held to gather stakeholder perspectives, to address unknowns of intervention design, and to support development of a theory of change. Results: Stakeholder (trainees and professional training staff) perspectives and relevant theory were used to inform the design of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based intervention, to address key stressors experienced by trainees. The intervention was delivered in a group setting, over the course of 4 sessions spaced 1-3 weeks apart. Collaboratively constructed COM-B analyses identified target behaviours and shaped intervention design. A comprehensive theory of change was developed, outlining key assumptions and setting out hypothesised pathways of change. Conclusions: An evidence-informed ACT-based intervention for psychological professional trainee wellbeing has been developed with key stakeholder collaboration. An acceptability and feasibility evaluation of this intervention is underway.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Accepted/in press
Uncontrolled Keywords:	sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Psychology
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Mental Health and Social Care (fka Lifespan Health) Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Social Cognition Research Group Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Research on Children and Families Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Dementia & Complexity in Later Life Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Centre for Japanese Studies
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	12 Jun 2026 11:54
Last Modified:	18 Jun 2026 21:01
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/103383
DOI:

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