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Description
Purpose: Although barriers to mental health service utilization in healthcare workers is well studied in the United States, motivation or catalysts to mental health care acceptance has not yet been clarified in the body of literature. This study investigated factors associated with the odds of mental health service referral acceptance of health professionals. Methods: Utilizing an adapted Health Belief Model to predict health behavior change, the HEAR Program data, which surveyed health professionals at UC San Diego School of Medicine from 2009 to 2020, was analyzed to determine indicators of higher mental health service referral acceptance. Frequencies, Chi-squared tests, and binary regression analysis were used to reveal which factors were significantly associated with increased odds of dialoguing with a HEAR Counselor. Results: From the odds ratios, perceived expectations and threats to health behavior change were inferred. One-third of the study sample (n = 940 of 2811) engaged in dialogue. Chi-squared tests of independence determined that variables of Position (χ2 (4, N = 2811) = 39.623, p <.001), Negative Affectivity (χ2 = 47.498, p <.001), Previous Suicide Attempt (χ2 = 7.906, p = .005), and Mental Health Treatments were had a statistically significant relationship with the dialogue outcome variable. After accounting for all the independent variables in the regression analysis, non-medical students (OR = 1.646 – 1.941, p ≤ .001), participants with high negative affectivity (OR = 1.634, p < .001), and current therapy use (OR = 1.5647, p < .001) had statistical significance in association with dialoguing with a HEAR Counselor. The findings also indicated that while health professionals have some self-awareness of mental health challenges, their perception of severity may be lower than actual. Conclusion: There are strong associations between non-medical students, negative affectivity, and mental health treatment variables with the ultimate dialoguing outcome of the HEAR Program survey participants. Further qualitative investigation into the HEAR program survey participants could provide insight on cues to mental health referral acceptance. Implications of this study can inform public health policy regarding mental health resources and supports for healthcare professionals.
