abstract: 'Purpose Whether or not to disclose mental illness or mental health

  issues in the work environment is a highly sensitive dilemma. It can

  facilitate keeping or finding paid employment, but can also lead to

  losing employment or to not being hired, because of discrimination and

  stigma. Research questions were: (1) what do stakeholders see as

  advantages and disadvantages of disclosing mental illness or mental

  health issues in the work environment?; (2) what factors are of

  influence on a positive outcome of disclosure? Methods A focus group

  study was conducted with five different stakeholder groups: people with

  mental illness, Human Resources professionals, employers, work

  reintegration professionals, and mental health advocates. Sessions were

  audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was

  performed by two researchers using AtlasTi-7.5. Results were visually

  represented in a diagram to form a theoretical model. Results Concerning

  (dis-)advantages of disclosure, six themes emerged as advantages

  (improved relationships, authenticity, work environment support,

  friendly culture) and two as disadvantages (discrimination and stigma).

  Of influence on the disclosure outcome were: Aspects of the disclosure

  process, workplace factors, financial factors, and employee factors.

  Stakeholders generally agreed, although distinct differences were also

  found and discussed in the paper. Conclusion As shown from the

  theoretical model, the (non-)disclosure process is complex, and the

  outcome is influenced by many factors, most of which cannot be

  influenced by the individual with mental illness. However, the theme

  `Aspects of the disclosure process'', including subthemes: who to

  disclose to, timing, preparation, message content and communication

  style is promising for improving work participation of people with

  mental illness or mental health issues, because disclosers can

  positively influence these aspects themselves.'
affiliation: 'Brouwers, EPM (Corresponding Author), Tilburg Univ, Dept Tranzo, Tilburg
  Sch Social \& Behav Sci, NETHLAB, POB 90153, NL-5000 LE Tilburg, Netherlands.

  Brouwers, E. P. M.; Joosen, M. C. W.; Van Weeghel, J., Tilburg Univ, Dept Tranzo,
  Tilburg Sch Social \& Behav Sci, NETHLAB, POB 90153, NL-5000 LE Tilburg, Netherlands.

  Joosen, M. C. W., Tilburg Univ, Dept Human Resource Studies, Tilburg Sch Social
  \& Behav Sci, NETHLAB, Tilburg, Netherlands.

  van Zelst, C., Maastricht Univ, Dept Psychiat \& Neuropsychol, Maastricht, Netherlands.

  Van Weeghel, J., Phrenos Ctr Expertise, Utrecht, Netherlands.

  Van Weeghel, J., Parnassia Grp, The Hague, Netherlands.'
author: Brouwers, E. P. M. and Joosen, M. C. W. and van Zelst, C. and Van Weeghel,
  J.
author-email: e.p.m.brouwers@tilburguniversity.edu
author_list:
- family: Brouwers
  given: E. P. M.
- family: Joosen
  given: M. C. W.
- family: van Zelst
  given: C.
- family: Van Weeghel
  given: J.
da: '2023-09-28'
doi: 10.1007/s10926-019-09848-z
eissn: 1573-3688
files: []
issn: 1053-0487
journal: JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION
keywords: Discrimination; Stigma; Employment; Mental illness; Disclosure
keywords-plus: 'DECISION AID; WORKPLACE; ILLNESS; ATTITUDES; STIGMA; DISCRIMINATION;

  AUTHENTICITY; EXPERIENCES; DISABILITY; EMPLOYMENT'
language: English
month: MAR
number: '1'
number-of-cited-references: '30'
pages: 84-92
papis_id: 1d30270751dc444fb3ea9f53b071f9c9
ref: Brouwers2020disclosenot
times-cited: '62'
title: 'To Disclose or Not to Disclose: A Multi-stakeholder Focus Group Study on Mental
  Health Issues in the Work Environment'
type: article
unique-id: WOS:000514998600007
usage-count-last-180-days: '0'
usage-count-since-2013: '46'
volume: '30'
web-of-science-categories: Rehabilitation; Social Issues
year: '2020'