Citation

Chapman J, Roche AM, Duraisingam V, Phillips B, Finnane J, Pidd K. Work 2020; 67(1): 47-54.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, IOS Press)

DOI

10.3233/WOR-203251

PMID

32955473

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems are prevalent in male-dominated industries such as construction, where suicide rates are higher than the population average and help seeking is typically low.
OBJECTIVE: To examine psychological distress in Australian construction workers and its relationship with help seeking via two hypothesised mediators: confidence in knowing how to get help and confidence in talking to workmates about mental health issues.
METHODS: Workers (N = 511) completed a survey that assessed psychological distress, likelihood of help seeking, and confidence in knowing how to get help and talking to workmates. Bootstrapped multiple mediation analysis was performed using the PROCESS macro for SPSS.
RESULTS: Psychological distress was higher than national estimates and most prevalent in men aged 25-44. Controlling for age and ability to recognise personal signs of mental health problems, psychological distress negatively predicted likelihood of help seeking. This relationship was partially mediated by knowing how to get help and confidence in talking to workmates.
CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the need to redress and mitigate mental health problems among high-risk groups of male workers. It provides useful guidance on multilevel workplace strategies to reduce stigma, enhance confidence and comfort in the process of seeking help and support in construction and other male-dominated industries.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Australia; construction industry; Construction Industry; Help-Seeking Behavior; Humans; Male; men; Mental health; occupational health; Occupational Health; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; psychological distress; Psychological Distress; Social Stigma; Suicide; Surveys and Questionnaires; workplace