The glass is filling: an examination of employee assistance program evaluations in the first decade of the new millennium

Abstract

Five electronic databases were searched using the key words "Employee Assistance", "research" and "evaluation" for articles published from 2000 to 2009 along with a manual search of the two prominent journals in the Employee Assistance field. Forty-two evaluations were found which were categorized using Macdonald's structure into four groups: needs assessments (n=2), program development (case study) (n=21), outcome (n=10) and process (n=9). While the majority of evaluations were conducted in the United States (n=29) there was a distinct international component with studies from Australia (n=1), Canada (n=5), Israel (n=1), Japan (n=1), South Africa (n=2), South Korea (n=1) and the United Kingdom (n=2) also being published during the first ten years of the new millennium. Evaluations were conducted upon programs delivered across the entire helping continuum: by peers, professionals working for the organization and external providers as well as joint internal-external service delivery models. A broad range of methodologies were employed that demonstrated in general that the EAPs that were reviewed produced positive outcomes including both saving organizations money as well as in producing positive change in those who sought counseling through their auspices. However, as well as describing new initiatives, program evolution and offering insights into how specific programs could be further enhanced broader themes were also examined such as who is and is not availing themselves of EAP services and the stigma that some still feel in seeking help through Employee Assistance Programs.