Reasons for using workplace wellness services: Cross-sectional study among 6000 employees.

AIMS: While workplace wellness services are proactively established to improve well-being and reduce sickness absence, knowledge of reasons for using these services remains sparse. This study investigates which factors determine use of an in-house wellness service at a large organization (the Danish Police) with several departments in different geographical locations. METHODS: All potential users of the Wellness service ( n = 15,284) were invited to respond to a cross-sectional questionnaire. Of 6060 eligible respondents, 58% had used the service at least once (any use) and 17% had used the service at least three times (frequent users). Two items assessed the frequency of statements of justifications for using or not using the Wellness service. Associations between 32 demographic and psychosocial variables and use of the Wellness service were evaluated with unadjusted bivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The two primary justifications for using the Wellness service were: to get a blood pressure assessment (37%) and to rehabilitate injury (26%). The two most common justifications for not using the Wellness service were: no perceived need (44%) and already physically active (34%). Of the 32 demographical and psychosocial variables included, 28 were associated with any use and 24 with frequent use. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the Wellness service appears to be driven by a complex configuration of factors that resist easy translation into practical advice. Non-participation was accounted for in terms of both positive and negative barriers. Use of the service for purposes of primary prevention and health promotion was, relatively speaking, lagging behind.

The relationship between self-efficacy and help evasion.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between self-efficacy and not wanting help to change health behaviors. METHOD: All employees in the Danish police department were invited to respond to an electronic questionnaire. All respondents expressing a desire to change health behaviors in relation to smoking (n = 845), alcohol (n = 684), eating (n = 4431), and physical activity (n = 5179) and who subsequently responded to questions on self-efficacy were included. RESULTS: Both the bivariate and multiple regression analyses showed that all four specific self-efficacy scores were positively related to reporting that one did not want help. CONCLUSION: A high belief in one's own ability to change lifestyle behaviors in relation to smoking, alcohol, eating, and physical activity may lead to avoidance of help offers in a workplace setting.

Help Preferences Among Employees Who Wish to Change Health Behaviors.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the help preferences of employees in the Danish police who had acknowledged that they wished to change health behaviors. In addition, we explored whether preferences varied with age, gender, chronic health concerns, positive expectations of good health, and past experiences of in-house health promotion services (i.e., wellness service). METHODS: Respondents to an electronic questionnaire who acknowledged wishing to change health behaviors in relation to smoking (n = 845), alcohol (n = 684), eating (n = 4,431), and physical activity (n = 5,179) were asked to choose up to three help alternatives on a predefined list. RESULTS: In descending order, smokers preferred help from nicotine gum, no help, and help and support from family and friends. Alcohol consumers preferred no help or help and support from family and friends or "other" forms. Employees who wanted to change eating habits preferred a free fruit bowl, free nutritional guidance, and healthy food at work. Employees who wanted to change physical activity patterns preferred exercise at work, offers of free exercise, and exercise in a social/collegial context. CONCLUSION: Wishing to change health behaviors is not always accompanied by perceiving a need for assistance. The no-help option was selected fairly frequently and mostly in relation to alcohol and smoking. A fruit bowl was the most preferred option for help, followed by exercise at work and free exercise. Help from traditional health services was ranked low, possibly reflecting that they are primarily viewed as a solution for stopping disease rather than promoting health.

Why do people with suboptimal health avoid health promotion at work?

OBJECTIVES: To explore why people who have active work and who experience suboptimal health avoided using a multipurpose in-house health promotion service in the Danish police. METHODS: Data were first collected via an electronic survey (N=6060) and subsequently via 25 telephone interviews targeting nonusers who perceived their health to be suboptimal. RESULTS: Many nonusers with suboptimal health wished to change health behaviors, but did not use the service. Reasons were both individual (eg, laziness) and organizational (eg, delivery of the service). CONCLUSIONS: Although many reported barriers are more individual in nature, increased information and accessibility could serve to increase participation.