Health Psychology Research / HPR / Online First / DOI: 10.14440/hpr.0121
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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Consequences of Healthcare Coaching for Long-Term Unemployed Individuals with Health Restrictions

Melanie Oeben1* ,  Ann Marie Krewer1 ,  Michael Noack1
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1 SO.CON Institute, Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, 41065 Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
HPR, e81240018 https://doi.org/10.14440/hpr.0121
Submitted: 5 May 2025 | Revised: 18 July 2025 | Accepted: 22 July 2025 | Published: 7 August 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Background

Individuals experiencing long-term unemployment and health restrictions often face compounded challenges that negatively impact their health status, health-related behaviors, and overall living conditions. Traditional intervention strategies frequently fall short in addressing the complex needs of this population.

Objective

This study investigates the consequences of an innovative health coaching approach tailored to the specific needs of long-term unemployed individuals with health limitations. It focuses on the outcomes related to health status, behavioral changes, and broader living conditions.

Methods

A mixed-methods design was employed, integrating quantitative data and qualitative insights within a funnel model to enable a comprehensive and nuanced analysis. This approach facilitated the exploration of both measurable outcomes and subjective experiences of participants.

Results

Findings suggest that the health coaching intervention had generally positive consequences on participants’ health status and health-related behaviors. However, substantial and sustainable improvements in living conditions remained limited without continued engagement and the application of adaptive strategies. The study also demonstrates the value of consequences research as a viable and insightful alternative to traditional impact research within the social sciences.

Conclusion

The research underscores the potential of tailored health coaching interventions to positively influence the lives of long-term unemployed individuals with health restrictions. It advocates for sustained, adaptive approaches to enhance long-term outcomes and recommends the use of longitudinal and flexible research designs in future studies. The findings further position consequences research as a meaningful tool for evaluating complex social interventions.

Keywords
Health coaching
Long-term unemployment
Social innovation
Consequence research
Evaluation
Funding
The project is a part of the federal program RehaPro, within the funding area Innovative Approaches to Participation in Working Life (661Z0241X1).
Conflict of interest
The authors confirm that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
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