Root Causes of Mental Health Disorders among Construction Workers in Indonesia: An Integrative Literature Review and Exploratory Factor Analysis

Mental health disorders among construction workers have become an emerging concern due to the demanding nature of construction work, which involves high physical risks, unstable employment conditions, and intense workload pressures. Despite this growing concern, empirical studies examining the determinants of mental health disorders in the Indonesian construction industry remain limited. This study aims to identify and analyze the factors contributing to mental health disorders among construction workers in Indonesia. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, consisting of an integrative literature review and a questionnaire survey. The literature review identified 30 factors associated with mental health disorders among construction workers. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was conducted, yielding 100 valid responses, and the data were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The analysis revealed seven underlying root causes: recognition, stability, management practices, health and safety conditions, mental condition, physical condition, and workload. These findings provide a structured understanding of how organizational, occupational, and personal factors collectively influence workers’ mental health in construction projects. The results highlight the importance of improving management practices, work environment, and job stability to support workers’ psychological well-being. This study contributes to the limited body of knowledge on construction workers’ mental health in developing countries and provides practical insights for industry stakeholders to develop policies and interventions that enhance worker well-being and project sustainability, while supporting the achievement of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) in the construction sector.