Mentioning mental health online may damage your professional prospects Study
Mentioning mental health online may damage your professional prospects Study
The Impact of Sharing Mental Health Struggles on Social Media and Future Employment
Laughter is known to be the best medicine for the soul, but when it comes to discussing mental health struggles on social media, sharing can have unforeseen consequences, particularly when it comes to future employment opportunities. A recent study has found that potential employers view job candidates differently if they openly talk about their personal mental health issues on platforms like LinkedIn.
The study, conducted by researchers from North Carolina State University and Meredith College, aimed to examine the impact of disclosing mental health challenges on how professionals with hiring experience perceive job candidates. The findings shed light on the complex dynamics between mental health disclosure and employability.
Dr. Lori Foster, a professor of psychology at North Carolina State University and co-author of the study, emphasizes the significance of reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. However, she acknowledges that sharing mental health posts on professional platforms like LinkedIn may have unanticipated consequences for individuals disclosing their mental health struggles.
The study enlisted 409 professionals with hiring experience, who were divided into four groups. Each group was exposed to the LinkedIn profile of a job candidate, with variations in the information provided. The first group saw no mention of mental health challenges, while the second group saw a post mentioning the candidate’s experiences with anxiety and depression. The third group heard an audio interview with the candidate, in addition to viewing the LinkedIn profile. The final group saw the LinkedIn profile, including the post about anxiety and depression, and also heard the audio interview.
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After viewing the different profiles, participants were asked a series of questions about the candidate’s personality and future performance in the workplace. The results revealed that participants who saw the LinkedIn post about mental health challenges perceived the job candidate as less emotionally stable and less conscientious compared to those who did not see such disclosures. Although hearing the interview lessened some doubts about the candidate’s emotional stability, it had no effect on their views regarding conscientiousness. In other words, the initial perceptions formed after viewing the LinkedIn profile persisted throughout the interview.
Dr. Jenna McChesney, an assistant professor of psychology at Meredith College and co-author of the study, highlights the importance of considering the potential consequences before sharing mental health experiences online. She suggests that while it is not necessary for individuals to refrain from posting about anxiety and depression on LinkedIn, it is crucial to be aware that doing so can alter future employers’ perceptions of them.
This study represents a significant step forward in understanding the potential positive and negative consequences of individuals sharing their authentic selves online. It emphasizes the need for individuals to carefully consider the information they choose to disclose on professional platforms and be mindful of the impact it may have on their employability.
The findings of this study were published in the Journal of Business and Psychology, contributing to the growing body of research on mental health disclosure and its implications for employment.
QUESTION
Laughter feels good because…
Answer: It reduces stress, releases endorphins, and promotes a sense of well-being.
