Predictive Modeling of Workplace Stress among Construction Professionals

Abstract

As a high-stress working environment, the construction industry affects the health and well-being of people who work in it. Knowing what factors contribute to or ameliorate workplace stress, and their interrelationships, are important. Data from 350 cases that reflect self-perceived stress experiences were collected via an online questionnaire survey of architects, civil engineers, quantity surveyors, and project and construction managers in South Africa. These data were used to conduct logistic regression modeling to explore the relationship between perceived stress at work, workplace demands, job control, and workplace support. The strength of the relationship of 13 factors with perceived stress was modeled. Although all the cataloged factors contribute to a predictive likelihood of high workplace stress, the strongest predictive factor is the perceived presence of work-life imbalance. The perceived need to work long hours is overwhelmingly mediated through imbalance experienced between work and life/family commitments. A perceived need to prove oneself at work also strongly mediates this relationship, whereas the extent of support received from colleagues in difficult situations may serve as a strong moderator. An amended model of occupational stress is proposed that distinguishes between mediating and moderating factors, providing possible target areas for organizations wishing to address employee stress issues. The contribution of this work lies in its examination of the work stress experienced by construction professionals in a developing country that is characterized by economic hardship and social problems.