<i>‘Having a thick skin is essential’</i>: mental health challenges for young apprentices in Australia

Einboden, Rochelle; Choi, Isabella; Ryan, Rose; Petrie, Katherine; Johnston, David; Harvey, Samuel B; Glozier, Nick; Wray, Alexis; Deady, Mark

doi:10.1080/13676261.2020.1728240

Cited by 19 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…A clear observation was the reluctance of apprentices to report their poor treatment or seek help, as also seen in a previous qualitative study from Australia (12). While not unique to apprentices in construction (30), the poor treatment of new trainee workers with limited access to support coincides with high rates of substance misuse (e.g., 32), and suicide (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6) in this industry in particular. This suggests the indoctrination and perpetuation of a workplace culture that prioritizes stoicism (11) via bullying, intimidation, and difficult working conditions may be associated with adverse mental health consequences (13).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Factors Associated With Workplace Bullying and the Mental Health of Construction Industry Apprentices: A Mixed Methods Study

et al. 2021

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Young Australian males working in the construction industry are twice as likely to take their own lives than other young Australian males. This group is also at high risk for poor mental health and alcohol and other drug related harm. Previous research has indicated a bullying culture within this industry, directed particularly toward apprentices and those new to the industry. This Australian study applied an exploratory sequential mixed methods design to explore issues faced by apprentices, estimate the prevalence of bullying and explore the factors associated with bullying and the mental health of apprentices. The results revealed that a substantial proportion of construction industry apprentices experience workplace bullying, are exposed to suicidal behaviors, and personally experience suicidal ideation. Multivariate analyses showed that bullying in apprentices was significantly associated with greater psychological distress, as well as being a 3rd year apprentice or not currently in an active apprenticeship. Results also indicated that bullying may be associated with substance use, lower levels of well-being, working nights away from home, the plumbing trades, and working for larger organizations. The outcomes from this study have important implications for the construction industry and will be vital for informing policies and evidence-based interventions to address bullying and mental health in this sector.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Factors Associated With Workplace Bullying and the Mental Health of Construction Industry Apprentices: A Mixed Methods Study

et al. 2021

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“…Although it has been shown that completion of digital mental health interventions is not always directly correlated with outcomes ( 38 ), and the minimum level of engagement required for such interventions to achieve beneficial effects remains an open question ( 40 , 41 ). Involving end-users in the conception, design, and implementation of any app is a critical component to successful design ( 18 )—in the case of HeadGear , this was a core component of development ( 6 , 14 ). Indeed many recommendations to enhance engagement in this young, predominately male population ( 36 ) were incorporated in the preliminary work completed as part of the app modifications.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A semi-structured discussion guide was used. The initial stage explored the challenges (6) and supports (14) used by apprentices; participants then spent the remainder of the group exploring the HeadGear app, discussing it, and completing questionnaires. All participants were reimbursed with a $40 gift card for their time.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Apprenticeships are a common pathway for young people making the transition from adolescence to adulthood and offer a prime opportunity for the delivery of mental health interventions. Furthermore, working conditions for some apprentices present significant challenges to mental wellness (6), and are implicated in heightened risk for anxiety, depression or stress disorder compared to older workers (7).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Utility of a Mental Health App in Apprentice Workers: A Pilot Study

Deady

Glozier

Collins

et al. 2020

Front. Public Health

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Background: Young people are at heightened risk for mental health problems. Apprenticeships are common pathways into the workforce at a critical developmental period. However, in some cases the working conditions for apprentices present significant challenges to mental wellness. As apprentices are unlikely to utilize traditional services, eHealth and mHealth interventions are a useful means of delivering interventions to this group. The aim of the current paper is to: (1) qualitatively explore the utility of an existing mental health app within an apprentice population; and (2) evaluate the usability, acceptability, feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a modified version of the app (HeadGear Apprentice), designed to reduce depressive symptoms in an apprentice working population. Methods: Study One: Twenty-six apprentices (aged 18-30) took part in one of eight (90-min) focus groups. Participants explored the HeadGear app, took part in group discussions, and completed uMARS questionnaires. Modifications were made to the app based on feedback. Study Two: In the follow-up pilot testing, 47 apprentices downloaded and used the modified app over 30 days. Assessment occurred online at baseline, 5-weeks, and 3-months post-baseline. Feasibility was evaluated using consent rates, adherence and attrition. Acceptability was assessed using questionnaires and a post-study interview. Depression, anxiety, well-being, and work performance scores were used to assess preliminary efficacy. Results: Overall, the app was well-received in both studies, with high self-reported scores for acceptability and utility. However, engagement-both in terms of self-report and adherence-was an issue in both studies. In Study Two, users completed approximately one-third of the app's therapeutic content, with increased usage associated with improved outcomes. This had implications for the preliminary effectiveness of the app [depression as measured by the PHQ-9 Cohen's d = 0.27 (95%CI:-0.16-0.69)]. At follow-up users reported improvements in all outcomes, but overall only change in well-being reached statistical significance [Cohen's d = −0.29 (95%CI:-0.72-0.14)]. Deady et al. Apprentice M-Health App: Pilot Study Conclusion: Overall, findings from the two studies suggest that an eHealth tool, HeadGear Apprentice, was an acceptable and well-received intervention when adapted to young apprentices. However, questions remain regarding how to improve engagement and adherence to the program. These questions appear critical to effectiveness. The two studies also have implications for awareness raising in this population. Whilst preliminary results were encouraging, these improvements, along with a full-scale efficacy trial, are needed to better understand the utility of smartphone applications for mental health in this population. Trial registration: ACTRN12618001475235 https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/ Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375875&isReview=true.

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“…Therefore, although there are similarities with school students, being part of the work force rather than taking part in a purely educational environment means apprentices face some different experiences. For example, the transition from school to work is a developmental challenge that may present risk factors to mental health [21,22]. Indeed, a survey of Austrian apprentices from 2015 showed that apprentices assess their current state of health as significantly worse than high school students [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Health of Apprentices during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Austria and the Effect of Gender, Migration Background, and Work Situation

Dale

O’Rourke

Humer

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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This study assessed the mental health of apprentices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria and the effect of gender, migration background, work situation, and work sector. An online survey via REDCap was performed with a sample of 1442 apprentices (female: 53.5%, male: 45.4%, diverse: 1.1%, migration background: 28.4%) from 29 March to 18 May 2021. Indicators of mental health were depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), well-being (WHO-5), disordered eating (EAT-8), and insomnia (ISI-7). There was a high prevalence of clinically relevant depression (cut-offs ≥11 for adolescents, ≥10 for adults: 48.3%), anxiety (cut-offs ≥11 for adolescents, ≥10 for adults: 35.4%), insomnia (cut-off ≥15: 27%), and disordered eating (cut-offs ≥2 for men, ≥3 for women: 50.6%). Linear models revealed that apprentices with female and diverse gender, migration background, and unemployed status showed the poorest scores on all mental health measures (all p-values < 0.05) except disordered eating. These findings emphasize the need for intersectional strategies to reduce and prevent adverse mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for apprentices.

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‘Having a thick skin is essential’: mental health challenges for young apprentices in Australia

Cited by 19 publications

References 34 publications

Factors Associated With Workplace Bullying and the Mental Health of Construction Industry Apprentices: A Mixed Methods Study

Factors Associated With Workplace Bullying and the Mental Health of Construction Industry Apprentices: A Mixed Methods Study

The Utility of a Mental Health App in Apprentice Workers: A Pilot Study

Mental Health of Apprentices during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Austria and the Effect of Gender, Migration Background, and Work Situation

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