Liu, Q; Feng, Y; London, K and Zhang, P (2023) Influence of personal characteristics and environmental stressors on mental health for multicultural construction workplaces in Australia. Construction Management and Economics, 41(2), pp. 116-137. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
Exposure to various stressors has resulted in a significant problem of mental health among the construction workforce. A culturally intolerant environment may aggravate mental ill health in a multicultural workplace. However, an underlying structural issue that has not been sufficiently addressed to date is the influence the crucial personal characteristics and environmental stressors have on mental health in the multicultural construction environment. This study aims to examine the role of personal characteristics and environmental stressors in construction workers' mental health in the multicultural environment. Data were collected using an online questionnaire survey from 252 construction workers in Australia. The structural equation modelling (SEM) technique with partial least-squares estimation (PLS) was adopted to analyze the data. Results showed that workers' mental health is not only influenced by stressors related to the work environment, but also by individual traits. Increased levels of cultural stressors tend to aggravate the adverse effect of work stressors on mental health. Work stressors are more likely to cause mental ill health for the individuals characterized by a higher level of aggressive, competitive, ambiguous, and impulsive personalities; whilst cultural stressors are less likely to cause mental ill health for those individuals. This research offers an innovative perspective on the relationships between crucial person-environment factors and mental health, and informs the practice of work health and safety in the multicultural construction workplace.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction; culture; mental health; stressor; workers |
| Index terms: | health and safety, stressors, survey, structural equation modelling, questionnaire, exposure, Australia, estimation, personality, work environment, mental health, construction worker |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, practitioner, financial and cost management, public and environmental health, management, health safety and environment, Geography, health conditions and diseases, statistical analysis, behavioral psychology |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Cost Management, Health and Safety, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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