The effects of personal control and perceived thermal comfort on occupant psychological health at the workplace

Abstract

Personal control is an important influencing factor for perceived thermal comfort due to its physical and psychological impacts on occupants. However, an increasing body of research on personal control continues to place more emphasis on the physical consequences than the psychological implications for the occupant's health. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of personal control options and perceived thermal comfort on occupant psychological health in Malaysian office buildings. A total of 221 valid data were obtained through questionnaire survey in three regions in Malaysia, which were then analysed using the partial least squares of structural equation model (PLS-SEM). The findings demonstrated the significantly positive direct relationship between indoor air temperature, relative humidity and personal control on occupant psychological health. The importance of this research work is further highlighted considering the significant role of personal control on the improved quality of thermal comfort and occupant psychological health.