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The Contribution of Individual, Social and Work Characteristics to Employee Mental Health in a Coal Mining Industry Population

Author

Listed:
  • Robyn Considine
  • Ross Tynan
  • Carole James
  • John Wiggers
  • Terry Lewin
  • Kerry Inder
  • David Perkins
  • Tonelle Handley
  • Brian Kelly

Abstract

Background: Evidence regarding the extent of mental health problems and the associated characteristics within an employee population is necessary to inform appropriate and tailored workplace mental health programs. Mental health within male dominated industries (such as mining) has received recent public attention, chiefly through observations regarding suicide in such populations in Australia and internationally. Currently there is limited empirical evidence regarding the mental health needs in the mining industry as an exemplar of a male dominated workforce, and the relative contribution to such problems of individual, socio-economic and workplace factors. This study aimed to investigate the mental health and associated characteristics among employees in the Australian coal mining industry with a specific focus on identifying modifiable work characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among employees (n = 1457) across eight coal mines stratified by key mine characteristics (state, mine type and employee commute arrangements). Participants completed measures of psychological distress (K10+) and key variables across four categories (socio-demographic characteristics, health history, current health behaviours, work attitudes and characteristics). Results: Psychological distress levels within this sample were significantly higher in comparison with a community sample of employed Australians. The following factors contributed significantly to levels of psychological distress using hierarchical linear regression analysis: lower social networks; a past history of depression, anxiety or drug/alcohol problems; high recent alcohol use; work role (managers) and a set of work characteristics (level of satisfaction with work, financial factors and job insecurity; perception of lower workplace support for people with mental health problems. Conclusion: This is the first study to examine the characteristics associated with mental health problems in the Australian coal mining industry. The findings indicate the salience of mental health needs in this population, and the associated interplay of personal, social and work characteristics. The work characteristics associated with psychological distress are modifiable and can guide an industry response, as well as help inform the understanding of the role of workplace factors in mental health problems in a male dominated workforce more generally.

Suggested Citation

  • Robyn Considine & Ross Tynan & Carole James & John Wiggers & Terry Lewin & Kerry Inder & David Perkins & Tonelle Handley & Brian Kelly, 2017. "The Contribution of Individual, Social and Work Characteristics to Employee Mental Health in a Coal Mining Industry Population," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0168445
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168445
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Tamara D. Street & Sarah J. Lacey & Klaire Somoray, 2018. "Employee Stress, Reduced Productivity, and Interest in a Workplace Health Program: A Case Study from the Australian Mining Industry," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Carole James & Ross Tynan & Della Roach & Lucy Leigh & Christopher Oldmeadow & Mijanur Rahman & Brian Kelly, 2018. "Correlates of psychological distress among workers in the mining industry in remote Australia: Evidence from a multi-site cross-sectional survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, December.

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