title: Coaching Into Well-being
title: A realist synthesis of a cognitive behavioural coaching intervention in an Egyptian technology organisation
titleType: Subtitle
Creators: name: Abdelfatah, Ola
Publisher: name: Lancaster University
Year: 2025
Subjects: Cognitive Behavioural Intervention
Coaching
Cognitive Behavioural Coaching
Well being
Realist methodology
Realist review
Organisational context

description: Cognitive Behavioural Coaching (CBC) is “an integrative approach which
 combines the use of cognitive, behavioural, imaginal, and problem-solving
 techniques and strategies within a cognitive behavioural framework to
 enable clients to achieve their realistic goals” (Palmer &amp;
 Szymanska, 2008, p. 86). Although CBC has been the most cited approach
 towards evidence-based coaching, its utility in conventional, more purely
 outcome-driven reviews has not been universally supported (Minzlaff,
 2019). This PhD proposes further research using a form of evidence
 synthesis from a different theoretical and methodological perspective to
 address some evidence shortcomings and thus better inform practice. 
 
 The proposed methodology, referred to as realist methodology, aims to
 uncover more about the context and mechanisms by which an intervention
 generates intended and, at times, unintended outcomes. This study adopts a
 realist methodology to evaluate an organisational ‘CBC trial run’ to
 gather evidence about the programme’s mechanisms and effectiveness in
 generating employee well-being related outcomes (Graf &amp; Dionne,
 2021). The research question investigated is: 
 
 Regarding workplace CBC interventions, what works, or does not work? For
 whom? In what context and how? 
 
 The research is operationalised in two phases. First is a realist review
 phase, which is a form of literature review that aims to understand deep
 generative mechanisms (Pawson et al., 2005). In accordance with realist
 methodology, the review method, and findings (Chapter 3) are presented in
 terms of initial programme theories, i.e. hypothesised ideas on how, when,
 and why the programme works or does not work. 
 
 The second is a realist synthesis phase. The realist synthesis attempts
 to test out these provisional theories regarding the CBC programme and
 understand “what works for whom in what circumstances” empirically,
 through collecting and analysing primary data (Greenhalgh et al., 2017b,
 p. 1). This empirical part of the methodology proceeded with evaluating
 and refining initial programme theories (produced by the literature
 review) via realist interviews. Eight stakeholders were interviewed
 including one coach, one HR representative and six coachees. Data from the
 review were analysed using NVivo, while interview data were examined
 through NVivo's coding structure from the review, alongside a theory
 refinement template, adopted from Gilmore et al. (2019).
 
 Seven programme theories regarding CBC effectiveness were initially
 identified through the realist review, with substantial theory refinements
 made through the realist synthesis. Four novel theories regarding the
 programme implementation process were added during the synthesis. This
 study is the first realist synthesis to explore CBC well-being
 interventions in organisational contexts. Thus, it contributes to
 organisational intervention research as well as coaching theory. It also
 includes other practical recommendations for policymakers, coaches and
 coachees.