A Social Identity Intervention to Improve Mental Health in Construction Workers

Abstract

Psychological distress is a key challenge in the construction industry and suicide rates in the sector are 12 times higher than deaths from workplace accidents. Yet, few evidence-based interventions have been developed to improve construction workers’ mental health—and none focus on the key issue of social group connection. To address this gap, this paper introduces and evaluates a new prevention-based wellbeing training program developed specifically for construction workers—Connections for Work and Health (CWH). The program is informed by a social identity approach to health that focuses on the importance of social group connectedness for mental health and wellbeing within at-risk groups. The feasibility of CWH among Australian construction workers (N=69) was evaluated in a quasi-experimental study that included a waitlist control and assessment at three timepoints (preintervention, postintervention, and follow-up). This included evaluation of (1) perceptions of program impact, (2) effects on mental health (psychological distress and life satisfaction), and (3) effects on social group outcomes (social support, multiple group membership). Participant feedback indicated positive perceptions of the intervention including increased knowledge and improved social connections. Efficacy results indicate that CWH participants reported marginally significant reductions in distress relative to the waitlist control group. There were also significant increases in life satisfaction in the experimental group but no significant changes in social support and multiple group membership. Overall, results provide preliminary evidence that CWH—and broader efforts to encourage social group connection—have the capacity to reduce the negative mental health consequences of social isolation and loneliness in the construction sector, although further testing with larger and diverse samples is required. This study introduces Connections for Work and Health (CWH), a novel group training program designed to enhance mental health among construction workers by fostering social connections. The construction industry faces an alarming mental health crisis, with suicide rates 12 times higher than workplace accident deaths. Traditional interventions have largely overlooked the role of social connectedness, which is crucial for mental health. CWH aims to fill this gap by highlighting the importance of social group connections and supporting construction workers to manage and grow their group memberships and identities. In a trial involving 69 Australian construction workers, CWH demonstrated promising results. Participants gave positive feedback on the intervention—reporting increased knowledge and improved social connections in the workplace. Importantly, participation in CWH was associated with reduced psychological distress. These findings suggest that strengthening group bonds can be beneficial for mental health in this high-risk sector. For industry leaders, this study highlights the value of cultivating strong work team identities. By focusing on shared interests and goals, managers can foster a supportive environment that enhances both work group cohesion and individual wellbeing. Integrating CWH with existing mental health programs may provide a comprehensive approach to addressing the sector’s urgent mental health needs.