Batra, S. (2026) A model of cognitive vulnerability in construction education: Exploring the indirect effects of institutional support on brooding rumination. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 152(9): 04026135, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Students in higher education around the world confront mental health challenges, which must be addressed urgently given the alarming rise in student suicides. Such mental health challenges are due to maladaptive thought patterns such as brooding. This study examines the mediating role of student stressors and anxiety within the relationship between institutional support (IS) and brooding. It is based on conservation of resources theory and cognitive appraisal theory. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The study identified eight dimensions of IS, and the empirical findings indicate a full mediation of student stressors (β=-0.14, CI=[-0.27,-0.07]) and anxiety (β=-0.11, CI=[-0.21,-0.04]) in the relationship between IS and brooding. This study significantly enhances the existing body of knowledge by presenting eight dimensions of IS and provides empirical support for the development of psychologically supportive educational environments.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | anxiety; brooding; construction management education; higher education; institutional support; mental health; partial least squares structural equation modeling; student stressors |
| Index terms: | vulnerability, suicide, indirect effect, structural equation modelling, mediation, construction management education, stressors, higher education, mental health, body of knowledge, appraisal, partial least square, dimension, construction education, anxiety, conservation |
| Subjects: | health monitoring assessment and metrics, dispute resolution, factor and component analysis, professional education, statistical analysis, environmental policy, analytical methods, knowledge management, educational institutions, environmental hazards, mental health and wellbeing, health conditions and diseases, environmental health |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Legal Issues, Education, Health and Safety, Information Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
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