Fagbenro, R. K.; Sunindijo, R. Y. and Illankoon, C. (2026) Prefabrication in construction: A pathway to improved mental health and well-being for workers. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 33(15), pp. 249-275. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – Premised on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, this study is designed to assess the suitability of prefabrication for enhancing mental health and well-being supportive work environment for construction workers. Design/methodology/approach – Ninety-four Australian construction workers on either prefabrication or traditional in-situ construction projects were surveyed. Mental health stressors were factor-analysed to reduce them into industry-related, management/organisational, physical health and safety and personal stressors before being further analysed with partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Differences between the traditional and prefabrication models were assessed with multi-group analysis (MGA). Findings – The PLS-SEM analysis revealed a significant positive influence of prefabrication (PB) on all measures of well-being except cultural/religious well-being in the prefabrication model. PB also showed significant inverse effects on industry-related stressors (IRS) in the prefabrication model. Furthermore, PB has mediated inverse impact on management/organisational and physical health and safety stressors. The results confirmed well-executed prefabrication as a job resource and its capability to alleviate some construction-specific stressors and improve workers' well-being through better process standardisation and conducive work environment. Originality/value – The study concluded by recommending the adoption of prefabrication to complement other mental health supporting programmes to improve the mental health and well-being of construction workers.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction workers; poor mental health; positive mental health; prefabricated construction; stressors; well-being |
| Index terms: | partial least square, suitability, well-being, methodology, construction project, structural equation modelling, programme, stressors, health and safety, prefabrication, construction worker, mental health, job demand, standardization, in-situ, work environment |
| Subjects: | building construction, research methods, production management, health safety and environment, practitioner, health conditions and diseases, project controls, statistical analysis, design criteria, management, performance measurement, mental health and wellbeing |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Time Control, Design Practice, Human Resources, Roles and Professions, Construction Technology, Research Practice, Quality Management, Health and Safety, Engineering Principles, Project Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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