Dong, S.; Xu, S. and Zhang, Y. (2026) Understanding the factors influencing work-life conflict in construction practitioners: A meta-analysis study. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 44(3), pp. 567-582. ISSN 2398-4708
Abstract
Purpose – Work–life conflict (WLC) is widely recognized as having a significant negative impact on construction management. This research seeks to pinpoint the factors contributing to WLC and review how pandemics impact work–life balance specifically within the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach – A comprehensive literature review was carried out to establish a structured framework and theoretical model addressing WLC in construction. The Hunter–Schmidt meta-analysis paradigm, a robust technique based on the random-effects model, was employed to evaluate this framework due to its efficacy of correcting error. Findings – The results indicate the significant relationships between WLC and several factors, including social support, work demands, job autonomy and schedule control, and role blurring. Conversely, the impact of co-worker support remains ambiguous, as evidenced by the broad confidence intervals. Originality/value – This study introduces a novel theoretical framework for analyzing WLC within the construction sector, addressing sector-specific challenges such as irregular work hours and high-pressure environments. Moreover, it offers practical recommendations for improving health and safety performance in the construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | antecedents; boundary theory;jd-r model; meta-analysis; work-life conflict |
| Index terms: | literature review, construction practitioner, meta-analysis, health and safety, construction sector, methodology, schedule control, pandemic, construction industry, confidence interval, paradigm |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, research evaluation and metrics, project controls, statistical analysis, industry analysis, education and knowledge transfer, health risk and incident analysis, professional development, research methods, health safety and environment |
| Topics: | Information Management, Research Practice, Time Control, Health and Safety |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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