The Prevenlab-Psicosocial Methodology
Author(s): José María Peiró Country: Spain
Is the intervention sector specific?	No
Is the intervention usable with different enterprise sizes?	Yes
Is the intervention equally applicable to both genders?	Yes
Is the intervention based on theory?	Yes
Can the intervention approach be adapted/ tailored?	Yes
Does the intervention promote CSR and how?	Yes, the application the methodology requires, as a necessary condition, the commitment of the management of the company, while the support of the company’s Board of Directors is also an important factor.
Does the intervention promote social dialogue and how?	Yes, the employees, managers, health and safety representatives are informed of the nature of the study following which they provide inputs for the development, implementation and evaluation of the interventions as and when required.
Overview (including risk assessment and law – legal requirements etc.): Although the Spanish Law for the Prevention of Risks at Work (Ley de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales – Ley 31 de 8/11/1995) makes no explicit reference to workers’ mental health, it does refer on various occasions to psychological and social aspects as relevant elements in the prevention of risks or as potential sources of risk. The Decree “Regulations of the Preventive Services” (Reglamento de los Servicios de Prevención – 17/1/1997) recognises the relevance of ergonomics and applied psycho-sociology as two of the specialities OSH experts, and establishes the minimum training content for their work. The laws also establish the need to attend to psychosocial factors in all aspects related to the analysis and prevention of risks at work. In order to make an organisational diagnosis that facilitates the assessment of risks deriving from psychosocial factors in the workplace, an essential prerequisite is a theoretical model that enables a systematic and comprehensive consideration of organisational phenomena at all levels, and that facilitates the identification of the most effective psychosocial interventions in each case. The AMIGO model (Análisis Multifacético para la Intervención y Gestión Organizacional – Multi-facet analysis for organisational intervention and management), serves as a foundation for the development of a methodology of risk assessment and helps to organise the different strategies and techniques of organisational intervention. It may also facilitate the selection of the most effective approaches in each case and the identification of areas in which the development of new techniques is required. The main characteristics of the AMIGO model are that it distinguishes “hard” and “soft” facets of the organisation, it employs a dynamic perspective of fit and of organisational coherence, it analyses the harmony between person (or group) and organisation not only in issues related to the work system but also in the organisation as a whole, through the consideration of the psychological contract concept. Finally, it offers a comprehensive view of the results that takes into account the demands of the supra-system, of the system itself and of the subsystems of which it is made up, leading to a multilevel approach. The “Prevenlab-Psicosocial” methodology is a system of analysis, assessment, management and intervention with regard to psychosocial factors relevant to the prevention of occupational risks. It is based on the theoretical conception of the AMIGO model, and aims to provide a system of professional practice that permits the analysis and assessment of risks for specialised intervention by professionals.
Implementation: The method allows for the development of a professional intervention that is suitable, efficient (using minimum resources for achieving certain results), “user-friendly”, non-invasive for the organisation, and involves feedback processes that contribute to improving the methodology itself and its instruments. The method is applied in several stages. 1. In the first stage a screening analysis is carried out, the aim of which is to identify the main facets and components that constitute sources of stress with harmful effects. This exploration can be carried out by means of the “triangulation of informants” method, which involves seeking spontaneous responses from the respondents and then conduct a systematic analysis of facets and components. Its complementary aims are to identify the facets that may represent resources in the intervention and the principal consequences of stress. 2. In the second phase a detailed analysis and assessment is conducted of those facets and components that have been identified as significant sources of risk. This assessment is also conducted by means of triangulation of informants and, where applicable, of methods. This stage also includes an analysis of possible sensitising factors that increase vulnerability to a given risk for certain people or groups. 3. In a third stage, an analysis is carried out of significant sources of risk at a collective level (by units or for the organisation as a whole). The appropriate development of this analysis requires prior planning, before the second stage, and needs to take into account the screening analysis. Sometimes, data obtained in the second phase may be relevant for this third phase. The statistical analysis –through aggregation– is carried out at group level. 4. The fourth stage involves a study of the facets and components of the organisation as a system in their function as resources that may contribute to neutralising or preventing the risks identified. The analysis starts out from the organisational or developmental level and is completed at the individual level, in those cases where this is necessary.
Practical applications: The method is flexible and can be implemented in any organisation in any sector with the assistance of experts. The application the methodology requires, as a necessary condition, the commitment of the management of the company and of those in charge of the hierarchical lines of all levels and departments. It is important to ensure and to define their collaboration in all of those aspects that will affect the correct and effective application of the methodology. Also important is the involvement and participation of the company’s Health and Safety representative(s); while the support of the company’s Board of Directors is also an important factor. Finally, the employees in those departments or groups that are to participate in the study should be informed of the nature of the study and the implications of their participation.
Innovative aspects: The order of the stages outlined need not be strictly adhered to; nor is it necessary to carry out each one in its entirety. The stages described are for guidance, and their application must be flexible in order to respond to the needs that the expert considers priority in each case.
Evaluation (including process issues, outcomes and sustainability): The method is also modular in structure, with each stage is not necessarily being a precursor for the next stage, this allows a flexible design of each plan of analysis and assessment according to the needs, characteristics and restrictions of the client-system. Once the interventions developed using method are implemented in an organisation they are evaluated periodically in the stages outlined above and improvements are made based on their results.
Benefits (including cost effectiveness): The AMIGO model is useful for the identification and classification of possible preventive interventions to be carried out in an organisation and the facets on which they concentrate. It also facilitates intervention on providing a common scheme for diagnosis and interventions. Nevertheless, in using the model it should be borne in mind that the facets are independent, and that their most important feature is their relationship with one another. This point is especially relevant to the planning of the intervention. Since one of its fundamental elements must be the prior analysis of the effects that a change proposed for one facet will have on the others, and the changes that must be made in them in order to re-establish equilibrium in the system.
References: Peiró, J.M (2000). Assessment of psychosocial risks and prevention strategies: The AMIGO model as the basis of prevenlab-psicosocial methodology.Psychology in Spain, 4(1), 139-166. Also available at: http://www.psychologyinspain.com/content/reprints/2000/12.pdf
Comments: The method has been designed as a system of professional practice that permits the analysis and assessment of risks for specialised intervention by professionals. Initial investment is required to hire professional where they are not present in-house, post application the interventions derived from the methodology are self-sustaining.