Can Professionalization Alleviate Job Burnout in Construction Workers in China? A Multivariable Mediating Model

Abstract

Burnout is at all-time highs across modern professions. As a typical labor-intensive industry, the high-pressure and task-driven nature of the construction industry makes construction workers more prone to burnout. It is still unclear whether increasing the professionalization level can lessen the many harmful consequences of job burnout on construction workers’ employment. Therefore, this study examined the influencing mechanism of professionalization on job burnout in the construction industry. First, a theoretical model based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory was developed with workload, job insecurity, and work–family conflict as moderating variables. A reliable sample of 441 Chinese construction workers were then recruited in the investigation. The data analysis was supported by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicated that: (i) an increase in the professionalization level could be directly effective in alleviating job burnout among construction workers; (ii) workload and work–family conflict could play an independent and continuous mediating role between professionalization and job burnout; and (iii) while job insecurity caused by a low professionalization did not have a direct impact on job burnout, it could have an indirect impact on job burnout through workload and work–family conflict, respectively. This study enriches the literature on job burnout among construction workers, as well as provides a theoretical basis and practical management guidance for Chinese construction companies to alleviate job burnout in workers from a professionalization standpoint.

How Is Job Insecurity Related to Workers’ Work–Family Conflict during the Pandemic? The Mediating Role of Working Excessively and Techno-Overload

“…Drawing on the COR theory [15], and based on previous empirical evidence [14], JI represents a job stressor, as it threatens workers' valuable resources by triggering worries about their employment status and negative emotions (e.g., fears of losing one's job), thereby leaving them with lower resources to meet the demands from the family domain. Accordingly, the literature has demonstrated that JI is predictive of WFC [25,26]. When experiencing JI, workers may react by investing their energy into their job to perform better in order to show their value [15].…”

“…Among these, JI is particularly relevant, as the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic exposed workers to a generalized uncertainty about the stability of their job, increasing the share of the population at risk of losing their employment [24]. Several studies have demonstrated that employees who develop JI are more likely to experience WFC [25,26]. Following the COR perspective [15,27], the fear of a future job loss creates an uncertain situation in which employees feel that there is a threat to their valuable resources (e.g., social status and wage).…”

“…In a similar way, workers may try to preserve their remaining resources and protect themselves from strain by reducing the efforts dedicated to other life domains. In this scenario, workers may be less able to satisfy family requests, thereby leading to WFC [25,26]. For example, the results of the review by Mauno et al [14] on the family-related consequences of JI highlighted a positive association between JI and WFC.…”

Sustainable Environment to Prevent Burnout and Attrition in Project Management

“…According to Miao et al [22], burnout rates in contemporary professions are at recordbreaking highs. Numerous parties are frequently involved in large-scale, intricate, integrated construction projects.…”

Coping strategy for work-family conflict and burnout in construction industrial adult workers: A philosophical highlight

“…The majority of previous research on job burnout has focused on determining its causes and forecasting factors. [14] Identifying and treating employees at risk of burnout is beneficial, not only to the well-being of the individual but also to the organization in terms of their return on investment due to improved productivity. [8] For those who are burnt out, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a successful treatment.…”