A systematic review of mental stressors in the construction industry

Tijani, Bashir; Jin, Xiaohua; Osei‐Kyei, Robert

doi:10.1108/ijbpa-02-2020-0011

Cited by 50 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Based on the findings of previous studies, generic risk factors unrelated to construction project characteristics are prominent for establishing stressors causing mental ill-health among CPPs (Tijani et al , 2020), making it difficult to trace project-related stressors for mental ill-health. Persistence in the utilization of generic stressors would preclude the detection of project characteristics and management practices that are adverse to mental health.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical analysis of mental health research among construction project professionals

Tijani

Jin

Osei‐Kyei

2020

JEDT

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Purpose Mental ill-health among construction project professionals (CPPs) is a significant, persistent and unresolved problem that sparked the proliferation of literature worldwide. Despite the diverse research publications, a systematic review to reveal forms of mental ill-health, cause of mental ill-health and coping is lacking. Design/methodology/approach This paper aims to systematically reviews the existing body of knowledge on mental health in the construction project by analyzing 60 papers published between 1989 and 2020 (years inclusive) using the preferred reporting item for systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Academic journals between 1989 and 2020 were selected for this study because the first published paper on the mental health of construction managers commenced in 1989 and current studies are published in 2020. Findings The findings show that stress, job burnout, depression, anxiety and substance use disorder (SUD) are prominent forms of mental ill-health among CPPs, with an absence of project-related measuring scales for evaluating the mental ill-health symptoms. Moreover, generic stressors including long working hours, time pressure and work overload were used to establish the root causes of mental ill-health by ignoring construction project related stressors for mental ill-health. Problem-focused coping is more efficient than emotional focused coping in mitigating work stress, job burnout, depression, anxiety, but little is known on the influence of coping strategies on SUD. Knowledge gaps and future research directions were identified. This research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the implications of mental health management on construction projects. Originality/value The findings of this study contribute toward understanding the need to investigate individual mental ill-health as against the existing practices of considering all forms of mental ill-health as one umbrella. It also challenges limitations in the utilization of generic stressors to determines factors for mental ill-health by the introduction of the Swisse cheese theoretical model.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical analysis of mental health research among construction project professionals

Tijani

Jin

Osei‐Kyei

2020

JEDT

Self Cite

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“…The nature of the construction industry is recognized as highly competitive, with lower profit margins, tight deadlines, and constrained budgets [2]. Work overload or overtime work are the most common occupational stressors for construction workforces [40]. Intensive tasks to be completed in a tight timeframe for a construction project lead to an overwhelming workload [35].…”

Section: Work Stressorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The fourth variable, relationships at work, refers to the nature of relationships with co-workers, managers, and subordinates [60]. Existing research shows that working relationships are identified as a common stressor among construction workers [40]. A construction project is complicated and fragmented, which requires close teamwork between workers.…”

Section: Work Stressorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Theorizing to Improve Mental Health in Multicultural Construction Industries: An Intercultural Coping Model

2021

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Construction workers are exposed to a range of stressors that lead to mental ill-health. In a multicultural construction workplace, the interactions between workers with different cultural backgrounds may aggravate mental health issues. Existing studies on coping typically focus on a reactive approach to managing stressors in the absence of cultural-related factors. This approach is inadequate in addressing mental health issues in a culturally diverse construction workplace. This paper presents a critical review that synthesizes and analyses theories and models of stress and coping, proactive coping, occupational stress, acculturative stress, and intercultural competence to develop a conceptual model for managing mental health in a multicultural construction workforce. The proposed model relies upon a positive coping mechanism, i.e., intercultural coping, to manage stressful events during the entire coping process in a multicultural workplace, towards achieving sustained good mental health. The proposed conceptual model contributes to the development of coping theories and positive psychology approaches and provides effective coping strategies to enhance psychological well-being in a multicultural context.

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“…Research indicates that occupational stress and mental health problems have been linked to absenteeism (the number of days unable to work), presenteeism (reduced ability to work productively and work performance), low employee satisfaction, and lost productivity [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Psychosocial stresses in the workplace, such as job uncertainty, emotional demands, poor social relationships, low job control, poor management, harassment and bullying, poor communication, and long working hours, have been shown to undermine mental health [ 2 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent mental disorders in the EU [ 10 ], costing the global economy EUR 1 trillion each year in lost productivity [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Suicide in this sector has been associated with increased alcohol consumption, relationship issues, and poor help-seeking behaviours [ 25 , 26 ]. The construction sector is associated with specific workplace factors, such as high work demands and lack of job control [ 8 , 27 ], which is evident across the organisational structure with supervisors also experiencing high psychological stress [ 9 ]. In addition, employees working in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector are at increased risk of depression, comorbid stress related symptoms, and reduced wellbeing in comparison to other occupational sectors because of the high workload, ambitious work targets, and shift-work, associated with the sector [ 28 , 29 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Health Promotion and Intervention in Occupational Settings: Protocol for a Pilot Study of the MENTUPP Intervention

Arensman

O’Connor

Leduc

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent mental health difficulties in the EU, causing immense suffering and costing the global economy EUR 1 trillion each year in lost productivity. Employees in construction, health and information and communications technology have an elevated risk of mental health difficulties. Most mental health interventions for the workplace have been targeted at larger companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are often overlooked despite most people being employed in SMEs. The MENTUPP intervention aims to improve mental health and wellbeing and reduce depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviour. The MENTUPP project involves the development, implementation, and evaluation of a multilevel intervention targeting both clinical and non-clinical mental health issues and combating the stigma of mental (ill-)health, with a specific focus on SMEs. The intervention is underpinned by a framework of how to create a mentally healthy workplace by employing an integrated approach and has been informed by several systematic reviews designed to understand organisational mental health interventions and a consultation survey with key experts in the area. The intervention is facilitated through the MENTUPP Hub, an online platform that presents interactive psychoeducational materials, toolkits, and links to additional resources in an accessible and user-friendly manner. This paper presents the pilot study protocol for delivering the MENTUPP intervention in eight European countries and Australia. Each intervention country will aim to recruit at least 23 participants in 1–3 SMEs in one of the three high-risk sectors. The central aim of the pilot study will be to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and uptake of the MENTUPP intervention across the target SMEs. The findings will contribute to devising the protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) of the MENTUPP intervention. Findings from this study will also be used to inform the optimisation phase of the MENTUPP intervention which will aim to improve the materials and the implementation of the intervention as well as enhancing the evaluation strategy which will be employed for the cRCT.

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A systematic review of mental stressors in the construction industry

Cited by 50 publications

References 53 publications

Critical analysis of mental health research among construction project professionals

Critical analysis of mental health research among construction project professionals

Theorizing to Improve Mental Health in Multicultural Construction Industries: An Intercultural Coping Model

Mental Health Promotion and Intervention in Occupational Settings: Protocol for a Pilot Study of the MENTUPP Intervention

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