Aim: Suicide is considered an avoidable death. Male suicide is high globally, and more pertinently, in Australasia, it is higher than in other OECD countries. The construction sector is notably affected because it is a majority men gendered employment area (Hafeli, 2022; Jenkin & Atkinson, 2021). This research focuses on understanding how male construction workers perceive mental wellbeing and what affects it, to inform practical work-based interventions to support their mental health and wellbeing. Specifically, the aim of this research is to conceptualise how intimate partner relationships and work-related factors collectively impact the mental wellbeing of construction workers. It builds on previous research that has identified the need for unconventional approaches to engage the industry in conversations about mental health and wellbeing to enhance outcomes (Bryson et al., 2019; Burki, 2018; Wilson et al., 2021).
Methods: The research emphasises the lived experiences of male construction workers, seeking to understand and theorise the interplay of personal relationships and workplace factors by utilising a constructivist grounded theory methodology (Charmaz, 2012). Data are being collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews across various employment roles. The grounded theory methodology enables a theoretical sampling approach to ensure a diverse group of participants, allowing for rich, varied insights.
Results: This research is ongoing and early interviews (n = 4) indicate that intimate partner support helps some participants mitigate workplace stress, including long working hours, bullying, and lack of support. Participants also report that, while partners offer emotional support, work-related pressures often strain personal relationships, highlighting the need for a balance between workers’ professional and personal lives.
Conclusions: Our preliminary data suggest the need for mental health strategies that extend beyond the workplace. Although intimate relationships occur outside of the professional environment, their influence on mental wellbeing cannot be ignored. Rather than focusing solely on workplace policies, the industry can play a role by promoting mental health initiatives that encourage communication and emotional support in all aspects of workers' lives. Such initiatives may contribute to suicide prevention efforts by guiding organisations to foster work-life balance and integrate family and relationship support into wellbeing strategies, thus creating a more supportive culture in the construction sector and better outcomes for worker wellbeing.
Acknowledgement: This research is supported by the 2024 Allison Milner Memorial PhD Scholarship awarded by MATES in Construction Australasia.