Suicide in the Construction Industry: A Targeted Meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective

With research suggesting an increased risk of suicide for those employed in the construction industry the present review aimed to provide an updated, targeted, and rigorous estimate of the relative risk of suicide for this population.

Method

Comprehensive searches of Medline, Psycinfo, Embase, Emcare, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, as well as grey literature and reference lists, were undertaken to identify studies which reported the rate or risk of construction industry workers’ suicide. Only samples that did not incorporate other industries and utilized reference groups deemed representative of the general or employed populations, were included.

Results

Eleven studies were included in the review. Primary analysis was undertaken on seven studies deemed to have wholly samples wholly representative of the construction industry. Despite a high level of heterogeneity (I² = 98%), results suggest increased risk of construction worker suicide compared to the wider population. Random effect meta-analysis indicated a pooled relative suicide risk = 1.25 (95% CI 1.03–1.52), reported. A sensitivity analysis using less stringent inclusion criteria, demonstrated the robustness of these findings.

Conclusion

Despite limitations, this paper suggests that construction industry employees may have an elevated risk of suicide. Additionally, this review highlights the need for further research, using standardized methodologies, to generate more robust understandings. Future research will benefit by accounting for locale-specific cultural and socio-political factors and attempting to quantify more specific drivers of suicide risk for this population.

Keywords:

• Construction industry
• meta-analysis
• suicide prevention
• suicide remove

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge MATES in Construction National and MATES in Construction South Australia for providing the opportunity to further develop this important area of research, as well as Return to Work South Australia for their generous contribution to the research program. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge Alison Milner and her seminal work in the area.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Simon Tyler

Simon Tyler, B Psych Sci (Hons), MS Psychology, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research and Education Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia.

Hugh Hunkin

Hugh Hunkin, B Psych Sci (Hons), MS Psychology, PhD, School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia.

Kelly Pusey

Kelly Pusey, B. Hlth. Sci. (Hons), GradCert OrgChge, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research and Education Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia.

Kate Gunn

Kate Gunn, B Psych Sci (Hons), MS Psychology, PhD, Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia. Bob Clifford, MATES in Construction South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia.

Bob Clifford

Kate Gunn, B Psych Sci (Hons), MS Psychology, PhD, Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia. Bob Clifford, MATES in Construction South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia.

Nicholas Procter

Nicholas Procter, BA(Soc), PsycNurs, RN, MBA, PhD, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research and Education Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia.