Well-Being Intervention Recommendations: the Influence of Gender Representation within a Company.

Abstract

This study examined whether workplace gender composition influences perceived appropriateness of interventions, contrasting person-directed (e.g., resilience training) with work-directed (e.g., workload reduction) interventions. A repeated measures 2x2 design was employed with male-dominated vs. female-dominated workplace vignettes and intervention types. Results failed to show a significant main effect of workplace gender mix or interaction effect. However, work-directed interventions were generally preferred across conditions. Of particular interest, support for gender stereotypes at the individual level was a predictor of increased approval for both forms of intervention—but only in male-typed environments. The findings suggest that while aggregate attitudes favor systemic, work-based interventions, support for gender stereotypes selectively affects preference for intervention in male-typed environments. The findings indicate the insidious influence of individual bias on organizational beliefs about health and underscore the importance of bias-sensitive mental health policies that balance structural and individual responses to worker health effectively.