Identifying factors influencing mental health issues among female practitioners in the construction industry: systematic literature review

Despite efforts to diversify the workforce, the construction industry remains predominantly male, with women facing low representation, high attrition rates, harassment, discrimination, and limited career advancement opportunities. This research elucidated factors influencing mental health issues among female construction practitioners through a systematic literature review. By analyzing 36 relevant studies from 129 publications from 4 electronic sources, the research identified key factors affecting female practitioners' mental health, including gender, organizational, job, physical, and personal aspects. Content analysis indicated significant barriers and cross-cutting issues. The findings offer insights and implications for industry practices and policies, promoting a sustainable, healthy, and inclusive construction workforce. Future research should aim to further explore mental health challenges and devise specific interventions to support the continuous inclusion of women in the construction industry. Additionally, the methodology introduced in this research has the potential to transform the prevailing male-dominated culture in the construction sector into an environment that is more welcoming and supportive of female professionals.