Mental health disclosure in the workplace – An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the employee experience

Abstract

The decision to disclose or not disclose a diagnosis of mental illness (MI) is complex and influenced by a variety of factors. Research into MI disclosure has commonly focused on investigating the singular parts of the disclosure process, thus failing to capture an understanding of the individual’s holistic experience of MI disclosure. This paper seeks to gain an understanding of the phenomenon of workplace MI disclosure from the perspective of the disclosing employee. By doing so we gain an understanding of how they make sense of this experience which should help shape MI workplace policies and practices. Using a qualitative research approach and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), interviews took place with three Irish women who had previously disclosed a mental illness in the workplace. Within the findings, three superordinate themes emerged: (1) Antecedents of Disclosure, (2) Disclosure Outcomes and the Organisation (3) Disclosure Outcomes and the Self. Without an understanding of the consequent impact of disclosure on employees’ post-disclosure work-life, appropriate resources and supports cannot be developed.