New Study Highlights the Impact of Digital Peer Support in Employee Assistance Programs

Research Shows Digital Peer Support Reduces Therapy Sessions, Improves Emotional Well-being, and Delivers High Social ROI

DENVER, Colo., March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MINES and Associates (MINES) is excited to announce a new study exploring the effectiveness of Digital Peer Support (DPS) services in Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) demonstrated promising results in improving emotional well-being and optimizing mental health resources of employees and family members.

The study, Exploring the Impact of Digital Peer Support Services on Meeting Unmet Needs Within an Employee Assistance Program, analyzed how DPS integration within an EAP potentially impacted counseling utilization, emotional outcomes, and social return on investment (SROI). Findings showed that DPS improved in-session emotional distress markers such as loneliness and stress and provided a positive social return on investment.

“These results demonstrated that Digital Peer Support services’ unique combination of live-moderated, synchronous peer support, precision-matched resource recommendations, and stepped-care triage capabilities were associated with clinically relevant in-session outcomes and may help employees and family members get relief from their experience of life problems at all hours of the day,” said Dr. Harpreet Nagra, lead researcher.

The study evaluated 587 DPS chat sessions and found that 73.6% occurred outside of standard business hours, underscoring the demand for accessible, around-the-clock emotional support. Participants who used DPS reported significant reductions in sadness (57.5%), loneliness (55.04%), and stress (56.57%).

“This research was the first of its kind in examining Digital Peer Support and Employee Assistance Program impact. As a preliminary pilot study, it demonstrated positive within-session changes in the individual peer support program, potential impact on EAP sessions used, and introduced the concept of social return on investment as a new tool for EAP evaluation,” said Dr. Robert A. Mines, co-author.

Download full peer reviewed article here.

This research reinforces MINES’ dedication to advancing scientific understanding while solidifying its role as a thought leader in psychology. To learn more about this study and our services, contact MINES.

About MINES:

MINES is an international business psychology firm operating across all 50 states and 43 countries. Comprising two key divisions—health psychology and organizational psychology—MINES has been a leader in its field since 1981. MINES award-winning offerings encompass a comprehensive range of solutions, including employee assistance programs, managed behavioral healthcare, onsite behavioral healthcare, organizational development, wellness programs, disease management, specialty behavioral health PPO services, and more.

Contact:

Nic Mckane

njmckane@minesandassociates.com

303-468-7651

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SOURCE MINES & Associates