ABSTRACT
Existing scientific evidence supports a bi-directional relationship between psychological disorders and work-related injuries, i.e. pre-existing psychological disorders lead to a high rate of work-related injuries; likewise suffering work-related injuries elevates the likelihood of developing post-injury psychological disorders. Since the construction sector records one of the highest workplace incident rates, studying the after-effects of injuries is crucial, i.e. the link between workplace injuries and the onset of psychological disorders. There are two types of psychological injuries suffered by workers: primary and secondary. Secondary Psychological Injuries (SPI) is a broad term that refers to any form of mental health issue suffered after a workplace injury or illness, and the reported disorders are: anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. SPIs pose long-term harmful consequences for workers, their families and employers. Depressive disorder is an illness of mood and is characterised by persistently intense lowered mood for no apparent reason, and a loss of interest in work, hobbies and other activities one normally enjoys.
