Common mental health problems and early interventions in the workplace. 'How early is early'

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Bailey, DM, 2022. Common mental health problems and early interventions in the workplace. 'How early is early'. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

Previous studies have established that within the workplace, targeting both individual and organisational level factors are the most effective ways to prevent, protect or improve the impact of common mental health problems (CMHPs) (LaMontagne et al., 2007b, Memish et al., 2017, Cvenkel, 2020). However, current evidence has remained inconclusive in terms of timings for early interventions and there is little understanding of 'how early is early' when instigating early workplace interventions for CMHPs.

Situated in a United Kingdom public sector workplace, this study through a qualitative participatory action research (PAR) design aims to answer two key questions. Firstly, when instigating early interventions for CMHPs in the workplace – “how early is early?” and secondly, does "early" differ in terms of what employees would find beneficial and what management currently provide? The study takes a social constructionist position and where a focus group data collection method is employed. Focus groups allows for social interaction and discourse within both employee and manager participant groups to explore the research questions in depth and provides opportunities for contributing to organisational change. Data analysis employs a grounded theory data method and draws upon social constructionist ideas whereby subjective reality, experiences, challenges, and meanings are made sense of in a social context. In turn the generated theory from the collective data of individuals contributes to organisational learning (Charmaz, 2008).

The findings identified three overarching themes, 'the mis-understanding of CMHPs in the workplace, management skills, and behaviours and 'the invisible employee'. The evidence confirms that to be 'early', interventions need to be instigated at the 'earliest' opportunity such as immediately following a diagnosis or when an individual is beginning to experience a decline in mental health. However, for such interventions to be effective, a multidisciplinary approach is needed and situated within a wider management framework to ensure that the workplace is a psychologically safe place.

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Bailey, D.M.
Date:	2022
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	24 Nov 2022 14:06
Last Modified:	24 Nov 2022 14:06
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/47502