Self-Stigma of Seeking Help, Psychological Safety, and Employee Assistance Program Use in Nurses

Employee assistance programs (EAPs) remain underutilized across various U.S. work sectors, including nursing. There are several barriers that impede nurses from using EAP services, including self-stigma of seeking help (SSOSH) and psychological safety (PS). The purposes of this study, which used the health promotion model as its theoretical framework, were to determine (a) if there was a difference in the level of SSOSH in nurses who have used EAPs and those who have not used EAPs, (b) if there was a difference in the level of PS in nurses who have used EAPs and nurses who have not used EAPs, and (c) if PS moderated the levels of SSOSH among nurses who have used EAPs and those who have not. A quantitative comparative research design was used. Data were gathered from 137 LPNs/licensed vocational nurses, RNs, and advanced practice nurses who worked in U.S. organizations that offered EAP services, and analyzed using an independent t test and a moderation analysis. This study found that the level of SSOSH and of PS were higher in nurses who used EAPs compared to nurses who did not. Finally, PS did not moderate the levels of SSOSH among nurses who used EAPs and nurses who did not. The implications for positive social change include providing knowledge that stakeholders can potentially use to further support nurses and to prevent barriers, such as SSOSH and PS, from impeding nurses’ utilization of supportive services. The study also expands knowledge about nurses and barriers to supportive services, including EAPs. Further research should be conducted to expand the knowledge of SSOSH, PS, and EAP use in the nursing discipline.