Factors associated with patterns of psychological distress, alcohol use and social network among Australian mineworkers

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the convergence of individual findings relating to psychological distress, alcohol use and social network (SN) to identify their associated clusters within Australian mineworkers. Methods: This study used cross-sectional survey data from 3,056 participants across 12 Australian mines. Latent class analysis used the scores of Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Social Network Index. Results: Class 1 (moderate to very high psychological distress, low SN score and low to moderate AUDIT) included 39% (n=1,178) participants and class 2 (low to moderate psychological distress and AUDIT and very high SN) composed of 61% (n=1,873) participants. Class 1 was associated with younger age (OR=0.65, 95%CI=0.53-0.81), being a current smoker (OR=1.45, 95%CI=1.18-1.79), and reporting a history of anxiety (OR=3.00, 95%CI=2.23-4.05) and/or depression (OR=2.18, 95%CI=1.65-2.90). Conclusions: These findings highlight the challenges the mining sector faces regarding the welfare of its employees. Implications for public health: Modifiable work factors associated with lower social networks and higher psychological distress need addressing at an individual and industry level through targeted and specifically tailored multi-component interventions.

Health and related behaviours of fly-in fly-out workers in the mining industry in Australia: a cross-sectional study

“…Our study showed that 26.4% of the FIFO workers self-reported as current smokers. This is comparable to the findings previously published among FIFO workers (Joyce et al 2013 ) and the general mining workers (James et al 2020 ) in Australia. These rates are higher than the 11.6% reported among adults in Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2021b).…”

“…FIFO work-related characteristics are associated with health issues (Vojnovic et al 2014b ). For instance, studies have demonstrated shift length (Bowers et al 2018 ; James et al 2018 ), e.g., working shifts of more than 12 h (James et al 2018 ), roster patterns, e.g., 2 weeks on/1 week off (Bowers et al 2018 ) and day/night shift rotation (James et al 2020 ) as predictors of high psychological distress among FIFO workers in Australia. Shift patterns (day and night shift) (Asare et al 2021a , b ; Parkes 2012 ) and working longer shift hours (Parkes 2015 ) have also been identified to be linked to reduced sleep duration and poorer sleep quality in FIFO workers.…”

Health and wellness in the Australian coal mining industry: A cross sectional analysis of baseline findings from the RESHAPE workplace wellness program

“…It has been previously documented that shift workers’ overall diet quality is poorer than their counter parts, with an increased reliance on nutrient poor, energy dense foods as well as increased snacking frequency [ 47 ]. Considering 80.1% of the participants in this study worked shifts, which is common practice in mining [ 13 , 48 ], it is not surprising to see poorer health outcomes in study participants including elevated BMI, higher consumption of fast food and SSB, as well as inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables. With regards to elevated BMI and shift work status, the significant association within our study mirrors a sentiment which has been reported elsewhere in the literature [ 49 – 51 ], and more specifically to Australian men [ 52 ].…”

Lessons learned from psychosocial support and mental health surveys during the 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake: Establishing evidence‐based disaster psychiatry

“…23 (2)-4.Cohort studies in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture The Health and Life Revival Council in Ishinomaki District conducted cross-sectional household surveys, highlighting the importance of economic factors for the affected communities and emotional support, especially for the elderly disaster victims. 24,25 The National Center for Global Health and Medicine conducted city-wide longitudinal surveys of kindergarten, elementary school, and junior high school children, observing the recovery course of traumatic symptoms. [26][27][28][29][30][31] The Department of Health Informatics and Public Health, Tohoku University School of Public Health, conducted longitudinal surveys of the residential registry for Ajishima, Ogatsu, Oshika, and Ishinomaki City, as well as residents who were living in prefabricated temporary housing in Wakabayashi-ku, Sendai City, and Miyagi Prefecture.…”

“…The Health and Life Revival Council in Ishinomaki District conducted cross‐sectional household surveys, highlighting the importance of economic factors for the affected communities and emotional support, especially for the elderly disaster victims 24,25 . The National Center for Global Health and Medicine conducted city‐wide longitudinal surveys of kindergarten, elementary school, and junior high school children, observing the recovery course of traumatic symptoms 26–31 …”