Reasons for engagement: SME owner-manager motivations for engaging in a workplace mental health and wellbeing intervention

Objective:Small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) require specialized attention regardingworkplace mental health (WMH), but can be challenging to engage in WMH promotioninterventions. This cross-sectional study analyzed self-reported motivations of SMEowner/managers who engaged in a WMH promotion intervention specifically designed forSMEs.Methods:Data from 297 SME owner/managers was thematically coded prior toconductingmultinominal logistical regression analyses to determine reasons for engagementbased on a series of predictors, including owner/manager psychological distress, recentexperience of a stressful work event, and business confidence.Results:Owner/manager psychological distress, experience of a recent stressful workplace,and low 12-month business confidence incident were important predictors of engagement.Conclusions:The findings provide important insights into the uptake of a WMH promotionintervention, which can inform the design and future recruitment strategies for WMHpromotion interventions within the SME sector