Cross-sectional study exploring the prevalence and associated risk factors for suicidality among apprentices in the Irish construction industry
Jack Sweeney, Shane O’Donnell, P J White, Paula Carroll, Michael Harrison, Noel Richardson · 2026
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Description
Young men in construction die by suicide at rates well above the general working population, and apprentices sit near the start of that risk. Jack Sweeney and co-authors survey 651 male construction apprentices in Ireland for their 2026 study. They measured suicidal thoughts, self-injury without suicidal intent, and suicide attempts, then tested which life and work factors travel with each.
The rates were stark: 40.5 percent reported suicidal thoughts, 13.3 percent self-injury, and 9.3 percent an attempt. Past mental health trouble and depression showed up in every final model, joined by low self-esteem for thoughts and attempts, and by money worries and rented housing for self-injury and attempts. The authors call for support that starts in the apprentice years, with early treatment of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Jack Sweeney, Shane O’Donnell, P J White, Paula Carroll, Michael Harrison, Noel Richardson |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 41 KB |
| VERSION | 1.0 |
| LICENSE | CC BY 4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |