Examination of Supervisor Support of Worker Mental Health: A Quantitative Survey of Workplace Attitudes, Interventions, Values, and Support

The aim of this study was to help understand mental health in the workplace. The research aimed to examine how supervisor attitudes (stigma) toward mental health, staff care values, and organizational mental health intervention and prevention training predicted supervisor confidence in supporting workers experiencing mental health issues and supportive behavior of worker mental health. This quantitative, relational, cross-sectional research design used regression and moderation analyses to examine and measure the variables. Quantitative data from a closed-question survey was analyzed. The G*Power analysis determined that a minimum of 77 participants were needed for the study. Target participants were supervisors 18 years old and older, with at least 1 year of experience in their current position. The survey was developed in Qualtrics and distributed in English within the United States via email, social media, and the Liberty University psychology department. The survey was constructed from three distinct measures: the MH-WS (nine items), the OMS-WA short version, and the HoL instrument–Leader (value and behavior subscales), with 111 participants in the study. The results demonstrated there is no relationship between training and attitude and supervisor support of worker mental health. A significant relationship was found between supervisor staff care value and support of worker mental health. Organizations can utilize these findings to design targeted training programs that enhance workplace mental health literacy and to develop policies and procedures that foster a supportive mental health environment.