The role of education and training to achieve positive mental health among young construction workers from the Global South

Education and training influence mental health. Past research, however, focuses mainly on negative mental health (e.g., depression), and very little is known about how education and training affect workers’ positive mental health, a crucial component of mental health. Meleis’ Transitions Theory, and Keyes' Two-Continua Model, both of which focus on human well-being, are employed to explore how education and training influence positive mental health among young construction workers from the Global South. We focus on young construction workers in Ghana aged 35 years and below. Using mixed methods, data were collected from different stakeholders, including young construction workers, and analysed using thematic analysis and structural equation modelling. Three types of education and training were identified, viz: formal education, personal mental health education, and workplace-supported education. All three types of education significantly influenced young construction workers’ choice of coping, which in turn significantly affected their positive mental health. The findings can reorientate mental health education and training programs to promote the positive mental health of the current and future construction workforce

Health and Safety Integration into the Procurement Stages of Public Construction Projects in Developing Countries: A Case of Ghana

The potential to promote health and safety (H&S) through public procurement has resulted in increased expectation for public sector clients to integrate H&S matters into their procurement decisions and practices. Developing countries are however far behind in this endeavour. Using qualitative research, therefore, this study explored how public clients integrate H&S into the procurement of public works. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 contractors and public sector clients who have vast experience in the procurement of public works. The data was analysed using both inductive and deductive thematic analyses. The findings show that the extent of H&S integration into the procurement process depended on the funding source(s) for public projects. H&S matters are generally overlooked in the various procurement stages for public projects funded by the government, while in those funded by international development agencies, H&S matters are prioritized, and therefore, given considerable attention. The research contributes to construction H&S improvement research in developing countries by giving insight into the extent of H&S integration into public procurement. It also contributes to the understanding of the influence of funding sources on the extent to which H&S matters are integrated into public procurement in developing countries

Challenges for Occupational Health and Safety Enforcement in the Construction Industry in Ghana

Many previous studies have reported that the occupational health and safety (OHS) enforcement is poor in developing countries, however these studies have mainly focused on the broader enforcement problems and not fully considered the challenges confronting the institutions responsible for enforcing OHS standards at workplaces.  In this study, twelve potential challenges were identified from an extensive literature review, then an empirical investigation was carried out via a questionnaire survey from OHS inspectors and professionals in the Ghanaian construction industry. The twelve challenges were confirmed and ranked. Also, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation were used to determine the statistical significance of the responses and the relationships between the challenges. Based on these findings, this study provides practical strategies for government, OHS inspectors and other professionals within the construction industry to improve the OHS enforcement. The research findings can also be adopted as a basis to assess challenges confronting OHS institutions in other developing countries

A scoping review of research on mental health conditions among young construction workers

Current research on mental health in the construction industry is fragmented, making it difficult to obtain a complete picture of young construction workers’ mental health conditions. This situation adversely affects research progress, mental healthcare planning, and resource allocation. To address this challenge, we conducted a scoping review of research on young construction workers’ mental health conditions to identify the themes of mental health conditions and their prevalence, by geographical location. The scoping review was conducted using meta-aggregation, guided by the CoCoPop and PRISMA-ScR frameworks. A total of 327 studies were retrieved and 14 studies published between 1993 and 2022 met the inclusion criteria. We identified 13 mental health conditions and categorized them under 9 themes. Mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance-related disorders constituted the most researched themes. Studies predominantly focused on young male workers in the Global North. The prevalence estimates reported in most of the studies were above the respective country prevalence. This review extends previous studies by focusing specifically on the themes of mental health conditions and giving attention to young construction workers whose health needs remain a global priority. The study emphasizes the need to give research attention to lesser studied aspects of mental health such as positive mental health. The need to focus on female construction workers and on homogenous sub-groups of young workers is also emphasised. The findings can guide future systematic reviews on the identified thematic areas and help to plan the development of interventions

Towards Improving Performance of the Construction Industry in Ghana: A SWOT Approach

The construction industry is the second largest contributor to GDP and a significant driver of economic activities in Ghana. Given the importance of the construction industry in boosting the national economy, it is essential to develop effective strategies to keep improving the performance of the industry. To achieve this aim, this research conducted the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of the Ghanaian construction industry. Underpinned by the SWOT analysis, strategic recommendations are provided to minimise the weaknesses and neutralise the threats that confront the industry, while taking advantage of the strengths and exploiting the opportunities presented to it. These include investment to facilitate innovation and growth, human resource development, development and enforcement of policy and standards, and conducive procurement practice. The recommendations are expected to provide practical and theoretical directions to the industry’s stakeholders on effective ways to improve the industry’s performance

Domains of Psychosocial Risk Factors Affecting Young Construction Workers: A Systematic Review

Despite being a key provider of employment, construction work significantly contributes to poor mental health among young construction workers worldwide. Although there are studies on the psychosocial risk factors (PRFs) that make young construction workers susceptible to poor mental health, the literature is fragmented. This has obscured a deeper understanding of PRFs and the direction for future research, thus making it challenging to develop appropriate interventions. To address this challenge, we systematically reviewed the literature on young construction workers’ PRFs using meta-aggregation, guided by the PICo, PEO, and PRISMA frameworks. We sought to synthesize the domains of PRFs that affect young construction workers’ mental health, and to determine the relationships between the PRF domains, psychological distress, and poor mental health. A total of 235 studies were retrieved and 31 studies published between 1993 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria. We identified 30 PRFs and categorized them into ten domains, which were further classified into personal, socio-economic, and organizational/industrial factors. The findings of this review contribute to achieving an in-depth understanding of young construction workers’ PRF domains and their patterns of interaction. The findings are also useful to researchers and policymakers for identifying PRFs that are in critical need of attention

A Conceptual Framework to Promote the Transition to Positive Mental Health among Young Construction Workers

There is a need to promote the mental health and well-being of young people who work in the construction industry worldwide. Although research exists on young construction workers’ mental health, it conceptualises mental health as a disease and focuses predominantly on issues connected with negative aspects of mental health. In contrast, research that can inform the promotion and protection of positive mental health, which is crucial to young construction workers’ achievement of good mental health and well-being, is scarce. To improve this situation, it is necessary to develop frameworks that reconceptualise mental health as a positive phenomenon and provide a comprehensive picture of how positive mental health is achieved by young construction workers. In this study, therefore, we propose a conceptual framework and five testable propositions based on Meleis’ middle-range theory of transitions and Keyes’ Dual-Continuum Model, both of which focus on the attainment of well-being. The proposed framework wholistically captures the structure of the distal, intermediary, and proximal determinants of young construction workers’ positive mental health and the relationships among them. The framework and its accompanying propositions provide a basis for undertaking multi-level and context-specific research that can adequately inform the development of interventions and policies for promoting and protecting young construction workers’ positive mental health

Coping with Psychosocial Hazards: A Systematic Review of Young Construction Workers’ Practices and Their Determinants

Young construction workers employ different practices to cope with psychosocial risks, most of which prevent them from achieving mental well-being. Managing this problem has been a challenge because research on the topic is fragmented. To contribute to addressing this problem, we systematically reviewed the literature on young construction workers’ coping practices using meta-aggregation guided by the PICo and PRISMA frameworks. We sought to identify young construction workers’ coping mechanisms and the factors that influence their choice of coping practices. A total of 345 studies were retrieved, and 24 studies published between 1993 and 2022 met the inclusion criteria. Using deductive thematic analysis, we identified 28 coping practices and categorized them into eight mechanisms and three domains. Eleven determinants of young construction workers’ coping choices emerged and were classified as personal and environmental factors. This review provides knowledge for building theory on young construction workers’ coping and stresses the need for further studies on the role of influencing factors such as age, individual resilience, coping experience, religion, and spirituality. Findings from this review can serve as an evidence base for researchers, occupational health practitioners, and policy-makers for developing interventions that can promote the uptake of beneficial coping practices by young construction workers

Promoting positive mental health among young construction workers: the role of theory

The post-modern approach to improving young peoples’ mental health emphasizes the need to promote positive mental health. However, research on young construction workers’ mental health has focused mainly on negative mental health, e.g. depression, suicidal ideation, and anxiety, and given far less attention to positive mental health. The aim of this research was to identify the reason for this trend and to propose an agenda for change. Based on the initial assumption that theory-use has contributed to this trend, we utilized the PICO and PRISMA-ScR frameworks to critically review the theoretical and conceptual models in published research on young construction workers’ mental health. Out of 367 articles retrieved, fourteen studies published between 2010 and 2023 qualified for inclusion. Eighteen different theories and frameworks were identified. Generally, studies focused on measuring the prevalence of symptoms of negative mental health. Theories and conceptual frameworks were mostly used to guide the identification of variables associated with negative mental health (e.g. age, workplace stressors, autonomy, etc.) and to explain the relationships among them. The identified theories and conceptual frameworks did not offer a positive conceptualisation of mental health, and as a result, no study theorized positive mental health. We offer a matrix for evaluating theory-use in research. We also identify and discuss the strengths and limitations of the current use of theory in published studies and provide recommendations on how theory-use can be improved to reorient construction research towards the promotion of positive mental health

Work-related respiratory health conditions among construction workers: a systematic narrative review

Background Emerging evidence in both developed and developing countries indicate that occupational health hazards and diseases among construction workers constitute a significant public health challenge. While occupational health hazards and conditions in the construction sector are diverse, a burgeoning body of knowledge is emerging about respiratory health hazards and diseases. Yet, there is a notable gap in the existing literature in terms of comprehensive syntheses of the available evidence on this topic. In light of this research gap, this study systematically reviewed the global evidence on occupational health hazards and related respiratory health conditions among construction workers.Methods Using meta-aggregation, guided by the Condition (respiratory health conditions), Context (construction industry) and Population (construction workers) (CoCoPop) framework and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, literature searches were conducted on Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar for relevant studies on respiratory health conditions affecting construction workers. Four eligibility criteria were used in scrutinising studies for inclusion. The quality of the included studies was assessed based on Joanna Briggs Institute’s Critical Appraisal tool, while the reporting of the results was guided by the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis guidelines.Results From an initial pool of 256 studies from the various databases, 25 studies published between 2012 and October 2022 were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. In all, 16 respiratory health conditions were identified, with cough (ie, dry and with phlegm), dyspnoea/breathlessness and asthma emerging as the top three respiratory conditions among construction workers. The study identified six overarching themes of hazards that are associated with respiratory health conditions among construction workers. These hazards include exposure to dust, respirable crystalline silica, fumes, vapours, asbestos fibres and gases. Smoking and extended period of exposure to the respiratory hazard were found to increase the risk of contracting respiratory diseases.Conclusions Our systematic review indicates that construction workers are exposed to hazards and conditions that have adverse effects on their health and well-being. Given the considerable impact that work-related health hazards can have on the health and socioeconomic well-being of construction workers, we suggest that the implementation of a comprehensive occupational health programme is essential. Such a programme would extend beyond the mere provision of personal protective equipment and would incorporate a range of proactive measures aimed at controlling the hazards and mitigating the risk of exposure to the occupational health hazards