Objective: To investigate the association between managers' attitudes towards subordinates with common mental disorders (CMD), self-confidence in supporting these subordinates and managerial preventive actions (MPAs).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Swedish managers (n = 2988) and two types of MPAs: reviewing assignments and work situation (MPA-review); talking about CMD at the workplace (MPA-talk). Binary logistic regression models were applied and adjusted for individual and organizational covariates.

Results: Managers with negative attitudes towards subordinates with CMD were less likely to have done both MPAs. Managers with higher self-confidence in supporting these subordinates were more likely to have done both MPAs compared with managers with lower self-confidence.

Conclusions: Managerial negative attitudes towards CMD and self-confidence in supporting subordinates with CMD have a role in MPAs and should be addressed in manager training programmes to encourage preventive actions. Copyright © 2023 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.