Deep, S; Sonkar, N; Yadav, P; Vishnoi, S; Bhoola, V and Kumar, A (2024) Factors influencing the mental health of white-collar construction workers in developing economies: Analytical study during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 150(7): 04024058, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
This study focuses on an important issue of the mental health of white-collar construction workers, a concern that has grown more serious following the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influenced the mental health of the white-collar construction workers during the COVID-19 scenario. Based on the review of extant literature, a survey questionnaire was developed and distributed online to Indian professional construction workers, 206 responses were received, and a data set was prepared for further analysis. The data set was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, and second-order confirmatory factor analysis and distinct stressors were identified. The most critical were lack of upskilling challenges (SFL=0.85) and workplace-related issues (SFL=0.85), followed by financial constraints (SFL=0.76) and family-related problems (SFL=0.44), both having a moderate impact. The results of the study were used to design a stress management matrix that recommends practical strategies to minimize work-related stress. By aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, this research contributes to enhancing worker wellbeing and enhanced productivity of construction workers.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction projects; construction workers; COVID-19; mental health; psychological stresses |
| Index terms: | questionnaire, well-being, construction project, COVID-19, exploratory factor analysis, stressors, survey, developing economy, confirmatory factor analysis, strategy, sustainable development goal, mental health, psychological stress, India, construction worker, pandemic, productivity |
| Subjects: | practitioner, mental health and wellbeing, data collection methods, statistical analysis, health conditions and diseases, Geography, sustainable design, production management, management, economic development, health risk and incident analysis |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Sustainability, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Project Management, International Construction |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here