To measure the influence of environmental and organizational factors on plan enrollees’ likelihood of using the EAP, we investigated the role of four key explanatory variables. First, we sought to explore the EAP’s expanded role and utility as one of the main vehicles for addressing occupational stress
that workforces that experienced unusual or significant stressors would demonstrate a higher rate of EAP counseling services. As an illustration, in the aftermath of one particularly notable unusual or significant workplace stressor, we note the numerous discussions in the mass media and the research literature of the rise in demand for workplace mental health services after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack (Jordan et al., 2004; Masi et al.,2004; Merrick et al., 2003).
Second, we sought information on two measures of workplace culture: the employer’s overall focus on wellness and prevention programs, and the level of employer promotion of the EAP. We expected a positive effect for these two variables on use of counseling services, based on the literature summarized above. Third, we examined the level of EAP provider-conducted worksite program orientations, educational seminars, trainings, and related activities expecting that these activities reflecting well-established ‘‘EAP core technologies’’ would increase worker knowledge of the EAP, reflect positively on the programs’ availability and accessibility, and thus be positively related to a greater likelihood of using counseling services.