Online Mindfulness-Based Intervention in the Advertising Industry: Analyzing the Effectiveness and Exploring Adherence Factors

Abstract Objectives Stress-related illnesses are common in high-pressure industries such as advertising, emphasizing the need for effective interventions to enhance employee well-being. This study assessed the effectiveness of an online mindfulness-based intervention (OMBI) and identified adherence factors in employees of a German advertising agency. Method A mixed-methods approach was used. Study 1 employed a pre-post quasi-experimental design with 38 participants (21 in the intervention group, 17 in the control group) undergoing an eight-week online mindfulness program. Study 2 used semi-structured interviews to explore individual, organizational, and training-specific adherence factors. Results The intervention group showed significant reductions in cognitive irritation ( t (20) = 3.34, p < 0.01, d = 0.73) and perceived stress ( t (20) = 3.54, p < 0.01, d = 0.77), alongside increased mindfulness ( t (20) = 3.19, p = 0.01, d = 0.70), while no significant changes occurred in the control group. Interviews identified factors influencing adherence, synthesized into the OMBI Adherence Matrix (OAM), highlighting Pre-Entry, First-Training, and Maintenance phases. Contextual factors included individual, organizational, and training-specific dimensions. Conclusions OMBIs effectively reduce stress and enhance mindfulness. The proposed model offers a framework for optimizing adherence in digital mindfulness programs and provides practical insights for high-stress environments such as advertising. Future research should refine the model and evaluate its application across industries to enhance the impact of digital mindfulness interventions. Preregistration: This study is not preregistered.