Prevalence and Risk Factors for Poor Mental Health and Suicidal Ideation in the Nigerian Construction Industry

AbstractEmployees’ mental health and well-being are a growing concern as countries grapple with heightened mental ill-health and suicide rates, with the construction industry ranking in the top five. Drawing from the context of a developing country, particularly Nigeria, data were collected using mi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of construction engineering and management 2023-03, Vol.149 (3)
Main Authors: Nwaogu, Janet M., Chan, Albert P. C., Sunindijo, Riza Yosia, Darko, Amos, Yang, Jackie Y., Salihu, Dauda
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case Studies
Case Study
Construction industry
Developing countries
LDCs
Mental health
Organizational structure
Regression
Regression analysis
Risk analysis
Suicidal behavior
Supervisors
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Summary:AbstractEmployees’ mental health and well-being are a growing concern as countries grapple with heightened mental ill-health and suicide rates, with the construction industry ranking in the top five. Drawing from the context of a developing country, particularly Nigeria, data were collected using mixed methods (i.e., survey and postsurvey interview). The study investigated mental health among 382 construction personnel. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2) scales were employed in assessing mental health. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation were 55.1%, 16%, 9.8% among supervisors, 72%, 36.9%, and 15.3%, respectively, among tradesmen. Univariate logistic regression revealed that years of experience and organizational structure influence mental health. Multiple logistic regression showed that risk factors for mental ill-health include nature of work, little relationship with colleagues, job insecurity, occupational injury, low income, and unsatisfactory living conditions. The findings from this study will assist in intervention building and policy-making within the construction industry of Nigeria and globally.
ISSN:0733-9364
1943-7862
DOI:10.1061/JCEMD4.COENG-12253