Construction Workers Struggle With a High Prevalence of Mental Distress, and This Is Associated With Their Pain and Injuries

TLDR

The study aimed to examine the association between mental distress and pain/injury among construction workers. A cross‑sectional survey of 172 workers used the Hopkins Symptom Checklist–25 (cutoff ≥ 1.50) to identify substantial mental distress, with a subsample of 10 undergoing clinical interviews. Substantial mental distress was found in 16% of workers and was linked to higher injury rates and greater pain, underscoring the need for further research on construction worker mental health.

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to investigate how mental distress was associated with pain and injuries in a convenience sample of construction workers. Methods: A cross-sectional, mental health assessment was conducted in a convenience sample of construction workers (N = 172). A subsample participated in a clinical interview (n = 10). We used a cutoff (1.50 or greater) on Hopkins Symptom Checklist–25 to determine substantial mental distress and determined associations with pain and injury outcomes. Results: The prevalence of substantial mental distress was 16% in the workers. This was supported by follow-up clinical interviews where 9 of 10 workers fulfilled the criteria for a mental disorder. Substantial mental distress was associated with both injury rate and self-reported pain. Conclusion: This pilot study strongly suggests the need for rigorous studies on construction worker mental health and how it affects their work and well-being.