How does construction workers’ bodily pain impact their mental health?

Summary

This project explored the interaction between bodily pain and mental health among manual construction workers. As well as exploring the interaction between physical pain and mental health, the research examined the impact of this interaction on ‘workability’, defined as the extent to which individuals have the health and basic competence required to accomplish work tasks—assuming the work tasks are reasonable, and the work environment is acceptable.

Data for the study was collected through surveys and interviews with manual construction workers.

The research findings contribute to the evidence base by establishing a clear relationship between physical pain and mental health, which is illustrated in a conceptual model outlining the relationship between work tasks, pain, mental health, and work ability.

The findings were shared with industry to help inform organisational strategies to promote workability and drive improvements to construction workers’ health.

Team

• Michelle Turner
• Helen Lingard

Partners

• The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
• Incolink

Publications

• Report: Work-ability: Exploring the interaction between bodily pain and mental health in manual, non-managerial construction workers
• Research to practice report: Exploring the relationship between bodily pain, mental health and work ability of construction workers
  

Peer-reviewed papers/outputs

• TURNER, M., & LINGARD, H. (2020). Examining the interaction between bodily pain and mental health of construction workers. Construction Management and Economics, 1-15.
• LINGARD, H. & TURNER, M. (2022). Exploring the relationship between bodily pain and work-life balance among manual/non-managerial construction workers. Community, Work & Family, 25(5), 643–660.