Determinants of workplace health program participation among non, low, and incentive-achieving participants

The authors used a cross-sectional survey and zero-inflated ordered probit modeling to investigate individual psychosocial-, interpersonal-, organizational-, and community-level determinants distinguishing nonparticipants, low-level participants, and incentive-achieving participants in a single, university-based worksite health program (WHP) that uses insurance premium reductions to incentivize participation. Results from 319 employees suggested two nonparticipant groups. Persons without employer-sponsored insurance, those with negative participation perceptions, and men were more likely to be "never" participants; those who had never met the incentive were potential future participants. Increased confidence was related to incentive achievement; stress was associated with low participation. No interpersonal, organizational, or community factors were significant. When structuring incentives, WHPs should consider determinants of participation, vis-a-vis the incentive.