Managing mental health in the multicultural construction workforce

Western Sydney University thesis: Doctoral thesis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to improve the mental health of construction workers in multicultural construction workplaces. Specifically, the aim of this research is to (1) examine the effects of personal and environmental determinants on construction workers' mental health outcomes, (2) develop a positive coping approach in multicultural construction workplaces, (3) investigate the effect of positive coping strategies on the relationships between environmental stressors and mental health outcomes in multicultural construction workforces and (4) develop a model for managing mental health of workers in multicultural construction workplaces. To achieve these research aims, a quantitative approach and a survey research design were employed. The key findings of this study are as follows. First, construction workers' mental health is not only influenced by stressors related to work environment, but also individual traits. Second, this study developed a positive coping approach, namely, intercultural coping. The results of this study confirmed that there is a positive relationship between intercultural coping and mental health. Third, the results confirmed the effectiveness of different types of coping strategies in managing different types of stressors in multicultural construction workplaces. Fourth, the model developed in this study presents a detailed and comprehensive perspective on managing mental health in a multicultural construction context. Overall management of mental health can be achieved by (1) reducing the identified work and cultural stressors of mental ill health in the workplace, (2) modifying vulnerable personal traits and matching personal traits with job demands, (3) improving intercultural coping and (4) designing effective intercultural coping strategies for specific types of stressors. The findings of this study contribute to the knowledge of mental health management by identifying the direct and interactive effects of person-environment determinants on mental health outcomes. The development of a positive coping approach, namely, intercultural coping, provides a new perspective on managing mental health. This study also uncovered the moderating effect of intercultural coping strategies on the relationship between stressor and psychological outcome. Furthermore, a model for managing mental health of workers in multicultural construction workplaces was established, which may serve as a framework for construction organisations to devise effective mental health interventions.
Date of Award2022
Original languageEnglish

Keywords

  • construction workers
  • mental health
  • multiculturalism
  • Australia

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