Examining Mental Health Outcomes in Skilled Trades Workers in Ontario: Intersectionality of Disability, Gender, and Minority Identities

  • Zhiyang (George) Shi is a postdoc fellow at the ReSTORE lab in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, led by Dr. Nowrouzi-Kia at the University of Toronto. He obtained his doctoral degree from the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at McGill University, under the supervision of Dr. Shane Sweet. His research is focused on promoting health, social participation and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. He uses quantitative and qualitative methodologies and adopts an integrated knowledge translation approach in his research program

To date, very few research in Canada examine mental health status among skilled trade workers. This study aims to assess mental health status and explore lived experiences of stress and pressure among electrical, plumbing and HVAC workers in Ontario, considering those with disabilities, women and from visible minority groups. In particular, the study will achieve three objectives:

Objective 1: To assess the mental health status among electrical, plumbing and HVAC workers with disabilities, women identity and visible minority identity in Ontario;

Objective 2: To examine the nature of burnout and occupational stress among these workers;

Objective 3: To explore the lived experiences of stress, pressure, and discrimination among the aforementioned workers, focusing on those with disabilities, women, and visible minority identity.

A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design will be employed. Data will be collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data will be analyzed by regression analysis. Qualitative data will be analyzed by a thematic approach. Study results will be disseminated among employers, workers, healthcare providers, decision-makers, and scholars, and inform strategies to improve mental health among skilled trades workers with disabilities, women and visible minority identities.

This project is co-funded in partnership with Mitacs and iA Financial Group.