Sheena Bance1, Paul S Links2, Carol Strike3, Ash Bender4, Rahel Eynan2, Yvonne Bergmans5, Peter Hall4, John O'Grady6, Jesmin Antony5. 1. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. 2. Department of Psychiatry, the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. 3. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. 4. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. 5. Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Chair in Suicide Studies, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. 6. Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Traumatic events often occur in workplace settings and can lead to stress reactions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). One such workplace is the transportation industry, where employees are often exposed to trauma. However, extant research shows that a considerable proportion of people with PTSD do not seek specialty mental health treatment. OBJECTIVE: In this qualitative study, we sought to better understand the experience of a traumatic event at work and the barriers and motivating factors for seeking mental health treatment. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-nine Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) employees participated in a one-on-one interview, 18 soon after the traumatic event and 11 after entering a specialized treatment program. METHODS: Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducting using qualitative description and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Participants described emotional responses after the trauma such as guilt, anger, disbelief as particularly difficult, and explained that barriers to seeking help included the overwhelming amount and timing of paperwork related to the incident as well as negative interactions with management. Motivating factors included family and peer support, as well as financial and emotional issues which persuaded some to seek help. CONCLUSIONS: Seeking treatment is a multifactorial process. Implications and recommendations for the organization are discussed.
BACKGROUND:Traumatic events often occur in workplace settings and can lead to stress reactions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). One such workplace is the transportation industry, where employees are often exposed to trauma. However, extant research shows that a considerable proportion of people with PTSD do not seek specialty mental health treatment. OBJECTIVE: In this qualitative study, we sought to better understand the experience of a traumatic event at work and the barriers and motivating factors for seeking mental health treatment. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-nine Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) employees participated in a one-on-one interview, 18 soon after the traumatic event and 11 after entering a specialized treatment program. METHODS: Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducting using qualitative description and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS:Participants described emotional responses after the trauma such as guilt, anger, disbelief as particularly difficult, and explained that barriers to seeking help included the overwhelming amount and timing of paperwork related to the incident as well as negative interactions with management. Motivating factors included family and peer support, as well as financial and emotional issues which persuaded some to seek help. CONCLUSIONS: Seeking treatment is a multifactorial process. Implications and recommendations for the organization are discussed.
Authors: Adekemi O Suleiman; Ragan E Decker; Jennifer L Garza; Rick A Laguerre; Alicia G Dugan; Jennifer M Cavallari Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-12-08 Impact factor: 3.295