A Single-Day Training for Managers Reduces Cognitive Stigma Regarding Mental Health Problems: A Randomized Trial

Michael Gast, Janina Lehmann, Elena Schwarz, Christian Hirning, Michael Hoelzer, Harald Guendel and Elisabeth Maria Balint
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Michael Gast: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
Janina Lehmann: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
Elena Schwarz: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
Christian Hirning: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
Michael Hoelzer: Sonnenberg Klinik gGmbH, 70597 Stuttgart, Germany
Harald Guendel: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
Elisabeth Maria Balint: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: Background: Mental illnesses have received increasing attention in the work context in recent years, yet they are still often accompanied by stigma. One starting point for stigma reduction is interventions in the workplace. The present study evaluated a one-day workshop for managers in a large company. Method: Enrolled managers ( n = 70) were randomly assigned to the intervention group and the waiting control group. The training included a theoretical section on mental and stress-related diseases as well as the interplay between work and health, group work on personal stress experience, theoretical input on dealing with mentally ill employees, and a group discussion on this topic along with case studies. Both groups completed the following questionnaires at baseline and three months after training: Effort–Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire, Mental Health Knowledge Schedule, Social Distance Scale, and the Irritation Scale. Results: Compared to the waiting group, the intervention group showed a significant improvement in the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (U = 417.00, p = 0.040) and an increase in the Irritation Scale (U = 371.50 p = 0.011). All other scales remained unchanged. Conclusion: The content and duration of the training were adequate to reduce cognitive stigma towards mental illness. However, the present approach was not sufficient for an improvement in the subjective stress level of the participating managers.

Keywords: SMI; workplace intervention; stigma; stress management; managers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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