Relationship Quality, Work-Family Stress, and Mental Health Among Australian Male Mining Industry Employees

Abstract

Australia is one of the world's foremost mining nations. While the economic and employment benefits of the mining industry are well documented, potentially negative aspects of mining industry employment are less understood. It has been suggested that mining industry workers may be more likely than workers in other occupations to experience relationship problems and work-family stress, but there is very little empirical study examining this proposal. Data from the nationally representative Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey were used to compare males employed in the Australian mining industry with males working in other occupations, on indices of relationship quality and work-family balance, as well as mental and emotional health. Employment in the resources sector was not associated with poorer outcomes on these measures, relative to other occupations. These results suggest that hypothesised connections between mining industry employment and relationship/family stress require careful examination.

Psychological distress in remote mining and construction workers in Australia

“…Consistent with previous studies, 2 , 7 , 8 the remoteness of the mining lifestyle was significantly associated with high psychological distress. Most notably, stress associated with the stigma attached to mental health problems was the strongest predictor of high psychological distress.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] In particular, FIFO (fly in/fly out) and DIDO (drive in/drive out) employment arrangements have become more common in recent years, accompanied by a range of lifestyle stressors, such as motelling (hotbedding), compressed rosters, and social isolation. 6,7 These arrangements can increase relationship and family strains, 8,9 sleep disturbances, 5,10 and risky behaviour, such as excessive drinking. 2,11 Male predominance in the resource and mining workforce (88%) 12 and their low rates of help-seeking have motivated research into the risks of mental ill health in the FIFO population.…”

Correlates of psychological distress among workers in the mining industry in remote Australia: Evidence from a multi-site cross-sectional survey

“…For instance, a Canadian study involving mining communities identified increases in mental health problems that correlated with a deteriorating economic climate [52]. Financial stress has also been connected to poor mental and emotional wellbeing, and greater family stress [53].…”

Suicide risk and social support in Australian resource sector employees: A cross‐sectional study

“…Such issues include the typical preponderance of male workers, which tends to promote a macho culture with heightened levels of bullying and stigmatization of mental illness (Bowers et al., ). Other potential factors include relationship difficulties resulting from regular partner absence, substance abuse, impaired health service access, isolation, loneliness, and lack of social support (House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia., ; Joyce, Tomlin, Somerford, & Weeramanthri, ; McPhedran & De Leo, ; Torkington, Larkins, & Gupta, ; Tynan et al., ).…”