Managers attitudes towards common mental health problems differ across sectors: a Swedish study

Abstract Background The stigma around common mental health problems (CMHP) is a problem both in the society and in working life. Workplaces are characterized by prevailing norms and values, with impact on their employees’ attitudes. Population-based studies show highly educated and females to stigmatize CMPH less than others. Still, we lack knowledge if attitudes towards CMHP differ across work sectors. Our aim was to investigate if attitudes to CMHP of managers differ between blue, white and pink collar work sectors. Methods A version of the MSED scale, measuring managers’ stigma to employees with CMHP, was answered by Swedish managers (n = 2710) in the private sector in a web-survey in 2021. The participants were grouped into blue collar sector (working with things), white collar sector (working with symbols), pink collar sector (working with people) and others, based on industry affiliation. Multivariable logistic regression was used for calculating probabilities (ORs with 95% CI) for negative attitudes towards CMHP among white, pink and others using blue sector as reference category, adjusted for several organizational and individual factors. Results Compared to managers in the blue sector, managers in other sectors were less likely to have negative attitudes towards CMHP. For managers in the white sector the OR was 0.71 (CI 0.56-0.91), in the pink sector the OR was 0.76 (CI 0.58-0.99) and for managers in the other sector the OR was 0.64 (CI 0.47-0.86). Discussions The result confirmed that managers in the blue sector, which is characterized by more male employees and a lower educational level, were more likely to report stigmatizing attitudes to CMHP. Interventions to decrease stigma in workplaces need to be tailored differently depending on work sector. Key messages • Managers working in the private blue-collar sector in Sweden report a more negative attitude towards mental health problems than managers in other private sectors. • The private blue-collar sector needs more awareness regarding reducing stigma around mental health problems than other private sectors.