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Mental Health in Construction Industry: A Global Review

Author

Listed:
  • Apurva Pamidimukkala

    (Department of Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA)

  • Sharareh Kermanshachi

    (Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA)

  • Deema Nabeel Almaskati

    (Department of Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA)

Abstract

Work-related stress is a major contributing factor to the relatively high number of deaths from suicide and other mental disorders among those who work in the construction industry. Despite the knowledge that unmanaged stress can manifest as depression and ultimately trigger thoughts of suicide or even the act itself, workers’ mental health is often neglected. This study aims to identify the risk factors that are at the root of the workers’ mental health challenges, as well as the strategies that can be initiated to overcome or at least mitigate them. To accomplish this, a systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA method, and 132 relevant publications that met the pre-defined inclusion criteria were selected for further analysis. From the data analysis, 45 risk factors were identified and classified into five categories based on the literature and the definition of stressors. The most frequently cited mental health risk factors were revealed to be gender inequality (diversity and equity category), poor working conditions (health-related category), work overload (job demand category), poor work–life balance (organizational category), and lack of social support (personal category). Thirty-two (32) intervention strategies were identified and divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary types. It was evident from the findings that combining all three types of interventions is the most effective way to improve the mental health of the construction workforce. The findings from this study provide valuable insights for policymakers and regulatory agencies who develop and implement policies aimed at improving mental health and occupational safety in the construction industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Apurva Pamidimukkala & Sharareh Kermanshachi & Deema Nabeel Almaskati, 2025. "Mental Health in Construction Industry: A Global Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(5), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:5:p:802-:d:1659906
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fred Sherratt, 2018. "Shaping the discourse of worker health in the UK construction industry," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(3), pages 141-152, March.
    2. Mohammad Tanvi Newaz & Helen Giggins & Udara Ranasinghe, 2022. "A Critical Analysis of Risk Factors and Strategies to Improve Mental Health Issues of Construction Workers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Kristina Aurelius & Mia Söderberg & Viktoria Wahlström & Margda Waern & Anthony D LaMontagne & Maria Åberg, 2024. "Perceptions of mental health, suicide and working conditions in the construction industry—A qualitative study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(7), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Kerry Anne London & Tanya Meade & Craig McLachlan, 2022. "Healthier Construction: Conceptualising Transformation of Mental Health Outcomes through an Integrated Supply Chain Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-13, August.
    5. Minhyuk Jung & Soram Lim & Seokho Chi, 2020. "Impact of Work Environment and Occupational Stress on Safety Behavior of Individual Construction Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-21, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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