The elephant in the room: How personal and workplace traits shape role stress in the construction industry

Abstract

Geographical regions shape workplace stress, as each location presents distinct environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic conditions. These regional variations contribute to varying stress levels among workers depending on their unique conditions. This study explored the effects of personal and workplace traits on the role stress of the construction workforce in the South Asian region. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey involving 274 project-level personnel from ten construction companies in Sri Lanka. Factor analysis validated regression analysis was performed to identify the effects of personal and workplace traits on role stress. The results highlighted the significance of age, education level, and organization tenure in shaping role stress. Specifically, the increasing age was associated with decreased role overload and work-family conflict. A higher level of education was linked to a greater likelihood of experiencing role conflict. Extended organization tenure was found to decrease role ambiguity but increase role conflict and work-family conflict among construction project employees. These findings hold implications for shaping organizational policies aimed at improving employee well-being. By incorporating these insights, organizations can develop strategies that foster a more supportive and healthier work environment.