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Disclosure of a mental health problem in the employment context: qualitative study of beliefs and experiences

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2013

E. Brohan ,
S. Evans-Lacko ,
C. Henderson ,
J. Murray ,
M. Slade  and
G. Thornicroft
E. Brohan*
Affiliation:
Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK Adelphi Values, Adelphi Mill, Bollington, Cheshire, SK10 5JB, UK
S. Evans-Lacko
Affiliation:
Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
C. Henderson
Affiliation:
Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
J. Murray
Affiliation:
Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
M. Slade
Affiliation:
Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
G. Thornicroft
Affiliation:
Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr E. Brohan, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, England. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Aims.

Decisions regarding disclosure of a mental health problem are complex and can involve reconciling conflicting needs and values. This article provides a qualitative account of the beliefs and experiences of mental health service users regarding disclosure in employment contexts.

Methods.

Total sample of 45 individuals were interviewed in two study phases. In phase one, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 15 mental health service users. The transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). In phase two, identified themes were further explored through interviews with mental health service users (n = 30) in three employment contexts: in paid employment (n = 10); in study or voluntary work (n = 10); and currently unemployed (n = 10). These were analysed using directed content analysis.

Results.

Four super-ordinate themes were drawn from phase one analysis: (1) public understanding of mental health problems; (2) the employment context; (3) personal impact of labelling and (4) disclosure needs. These themes were reflective of the content of phase two interviews.

Conclusions.

Greater emphasis needs to be placed on considering the societal, employment and interpersonal influences which form the basis for disclosure beliefs and experiences.

Keywords

disclosuremental health and illnessqualitative researchstigmaworkplace
Type
Original Articles
Information
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences , Volume 23 , Issue 3 , September 2014 , pp. 289 - 300
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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