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Mental health issues and illness and substance use disorder (non-)disclosure to a supervisor: A cross-sectional study on beliefs, attitudes and needs of military personnel
Bogaers,Rebecca Geuze,Elbert van Weeghel,Jaap Leijten,Fenna van de Mheen,Dike Greenberg,N Rozema,Andrea D. Brouwers,Evelien
Bogaers,Rebecca
Geuze,Elbert
van Weeghel,Jaap
Leijten,Fenna
van de Mheen,Dike
Greenberg,N
Rozema,Andrea D.
Brouwers,Evelien
Abstract
Objectives Research suggests that military personnel frequently delay disclosing mental health issues and illness (MHI), including substance use disorder, to supervisors. This delay causes missed opportunities for support and workplace accommodations which may help to avoid adverse occupational outcomes. The current study aims to examine disclosure-related beliefs, attitudes and needs, to create a better understanding of personnel’s disclosure decision making. Design A cross-sectional questionnaire study among military personnel with and without MHI. Beliefs, attitudes and needs regarding the (non-)disclosure decision to a supervisor were examined, including factors associated with (non-)disclosure intentions and decisions. Descriptive and regression (logistic and ordinal) analyses were performed. Setting The study took place within the Dutch military. Participants Military personnel with MHI (n=324) and without MHI (n=554) were participated in this study. Outcome measure (Non-)disclosure intentions and decisions. Results Common beliefs and attitudes pro non-disclosure were the preference to solve one’s own problems (68.3%), the preference for privacy (58.9%) and a variety of stigma-related concerns. Common beliefs and attitudes pro disclosure were that personnel wanted to be their true authentic selves (93.3%) and the desire to act responsibly towards work colleagues (84.5%). The most reported need for future disclosure (96.8%) was having a supervisor who shows an understanding for MHI. The following factors were associated both with non-disclosure intentions and decisions: higher preference for privacy (OR (95% CI))=(1.99 (1.50 to 2.65)intention, 2.05 (1.12 to 3.76)decision) and self-management (OR (95% CI))=(1.64 (1.20 to 2.23)intention, 1.79 (1.00 to 3.20)decision), higher stigma-related concerns (OR (95% CI))=(1.76 (1.12 to 2.77)intention, 2.21 (1.02 to 4.79)decision) and lower quality of supervisor–employee relationship (OR (95% CI))=(0.25 (0.15 to 0.42)intention, 0.47 (0.25 to 0.87)decision). Conclusion To facilitate (early-)disclosure to a supervisor, creating opportunities for workplace support, interventions should focus on decreasing stigma and discrimination and align with personnels’ preference for self-management. Furthermore, training is needed for supervisors on how to recognise, and effectively communicate with, personnel with MHI. Focus should also be on improving supervisor–employee relationships.
Description
This work was mainly supported by the IMPACT PhD Program 2018 of Tilburg University (no grant number). Additionally, the work was partially supported by a grant from the Dutch Ministry of Defence (no grant number), but this grant did not influence the interpretation of the data; the writing of the paper; or the decision to submit the paper for publication. These funding sources were not involved in study design; analysis and interpretation of data; writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.
Date
2023
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Research Projects
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Keywords
mental health, occupational & industrial medicine, preventive medicine, psychiatry, substance misuse, Cross-Sectional Studies, Attitude, Humans, Mental Health, Military Personnel/psychology, Mental Disorders/psychology, Social Stigma, Substance-Related Disorders, SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Citation
Bogaers, R, Geuze, E, van Weeghel, J, Leijten, F, van de Mheen, D, Greenberg, N, Rozema, A D & Brouwers, E 2023, 'Mental health issues and illness and substance use disorder (non-)disclosure to a supervisor : A cross-sectional study on beliefs, attitudes and needs of military personnel', British Medical Journal - Open, vol. 13, no. 4, e063125. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063125