84 4 CHAPTER 4 Coders used an open, bottom-up, inductive coding style. The research question was used as a framework. Namely, all codes were categorized into belonging to barriers to disclosure or facilitators for disclosure. During coding, the researchers aimed to stay as close to the actual data as possible, and not to interpret the data. Only after all transcripts were coded and consensus was reached between the researchers, interpretation took place. Overarching categories for the codes within the facilitators and the barriers were identified by the main researcher (RB), and checked by a second (EB). This led to the subcategories which can be found in Table 3. Following, in order to increase validity, multiple members of the research team identified the final main categories. The research team was chosen in such a way that it reflected the perspective of the military (EG, FL) and of civilian researchers (RB, EB, JW, AR). Analysis remained on category level, in order to not lose valuable information by summarizing on theme level. RESULTS A total of five main categories of barriers were found, and three main categories of facilitators. For a full overview, see Table 3. Table 3. Barriers to and facilitators for disclosure of Mental Health Conditions and Substance Abuse. Categories Subcategories Soldiers with MHC/SA Soldiers without MHC/SA Mental health professionals Barriers Fear of career consequences Losing employment (and subsequent financial concerns). √ √ √ Not being allowed to do what you like most about your job (e.g. no deployment, no training, no flying). √ √ √ Lack of career advancement. √ x √ Fear of social rejection Fear of being seen as weak. √ √ √ Fear of being rejected by the group. √ √ √ Gossip culture of the military. √ √ x Lack of Leadership Support Supervisor’s negative attitude towards MHC/SA √ √ √ Supervisor’s lack of understanding (and taking it seriously) √ √ √ Supervisor’s lack of time for a conversation. √ x √ Supervisor’s lack of knowledge and experience. √ √ √ No personal (trusting) relationship with supervisor. √ √ √ Lack of Communication skills surrounding MHC/SA Soldier’s lack of skills to talk about own MHC/SA. √ √ √ Coworker’s lack of skills to start conversation about MHC/SA. √ √ x Supervisor’s lack of skills to start conversation about MHC/SA. √ √ √
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