Understanding and enhancing responses to distress in the construction industry: protocol for a data linkage study
Lisa Wittenhagen1,2, Christopher Doran3,4, John Brady5
1School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia l.wittenhagen@uq.edu.au.
BMJ Open
|December 22, 2022
Summary
Construction workers experiencing distress often have unique characteristics and utilize various support services. This study details these traits and analyzes help-seeking pathways to improve support for this high-risk industry group.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Mental Health Research
- Health Economics
Background:
- Construction industry workers face elevated suicide risks.
- Limited research exists on the specific characteristics of distressed construction workers.
- Understanding help-seeking behaviors is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify sociodemographic characteristics of construction workers experiencing distress.
- To examine health service and non-clinical service utilization among this group.
- To quantify the economic costs and benefits of different help-seeking pathways.
Main Methods:
- Data linkage study using administrative data from construction organizations and Queensland Health.
- Descriptive analysis of cohort characteristics and distress prevalence.
- Health economic analysis of help-seeking pathways.
Main Results:
- Prevalence estimates of distress within the construction workforce.
- Descriptive findings on the characteristics of distressed individuals.
- Analysis of help-seeking behaviors and service utilization patterns.
Conclusions:
- Characterizing distressed construction workers is essential for developing effective support.
- Understanding help-seeking pathways can optimize resource allocation and intervention strategies.
- This research provides a foundation for evidence-based mental health support in the construction industry.
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