Organizational stress and determinants of help-seeking among attorneys.

Abstract

Background: Attorneys often report high levels of stress and mental health concerns. Research on the determinants of whether attorneys seek treatment for mental health problems is sparse.

Aims: We examined workplace factors that correlate with mental health symptoms and treatment barriers, and how these workplace factors and personal/attitudinal factors related to mental health treatment seeking.

Methods: An online survey was distributed to U.S. attorneys through professional organizations. Validated measures assessed work experiences, health, and treatment-seeking attitudes and behaviours.

Results: In total, 283 attorneys responded to the survey. Work overload, stress-related stigma, and psychosocial safety climate correlated with mental health symptoms and barriers/facilitators of treatment seeking. A total of 182 attorneys were identified as having a current mental health concern; 92 had sought treatment within the past year. Those who had sought treatment (compared to those who had not) reported less tenure (OR = 0.86, CI 0.76-0.96), negative views of medication (OR = 0.44, CI 0.21-0.94), self-reliance (0.30, CI 0.12-0.73) and more depression/anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.52, CI 1.19-1.94), work overload (OR = 2.02, CI 1.21-3.35), positive treatment attitudes (OR = 4.18, CI 1.49-11.71), and stigma beliefs about others (OR = 6.92, CI 1.86-25.76; likely a statistical suppression effect). Relative weights analysis identified symptom severity, self-reliance, and positive treatment attitudes as the strongest predictors.

Conclusions: Workload and work climate impact attorney's mental health and attitudes about treatment. Attorneys can be supported with a healthy organizational climate and education on treatment benefits and when self-reliance is insufficient.