Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 1 2022
“We are our own worst enemy”: a qualitative exploration of work-related stress in the construction industry
Dublin Core
Title
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 1 2022
“We are our own worst enemy”: a qualitative exploration of work-related stress in the construction industry
“We are our own worst enemy”: a qualitative exploration of work-related stress in the construction industry
Subject
Stress, construction industry
Description
Introduction: Around 400,000 working days per year are lost in the construction industry due to stress, depression or anxiety, but a large proportion of the industry – those primarily not based “on site” – are not included in these statistics. We explored how stress was experienced and managed by construction professionals and its perceived impact on health.
Materials and Methods: We interviewed 32 construction professionals in a British construction company, with varying levels of seniority and years in the industry.
Results: Stress was viewed an inevitable and increasing part of the
construction industry. Participants talked about a culture of stress and overwork but often felt unable to challenge. Senior management acknowledged stress was a problem. Company-wide initiatives had been implemented to address stress levels but were criticised for ignoring underlying issues. Informal means of managing stress were identified, such as careful consideration of team dynamics which allowed employees to form close bonds and using ‘banter and comradery to relieve stress. However, the persistence of a macho male image meant some participants were reluctant to talk about their feelings at work. Participants described coping strategies (exercise), but these were hard to prioritise in challenging times.
Conclusions: Industry pressures and competitive practices undermine efforts to improve staff wellbeing. Action must be taken at senior levels to address this conflict, while building on existing informal mechanisms of support and stress relief.
Materials and Methods: We interviewed 32 construction professionals in a British construction company, with varying levels of seniority and years in the industry.
Results: Stress was viewed an inevitable and increasing part of the
construction industry. Participants talked about a culture of stress and overwork but often felt unable to challenge. Senior management acknowledged stress was a problem. Company-wide initiatives had been implemented to address stress levels but were criticised for ignoring underlying issues. Informal means of managing stress were identified, such as careful consideration of team dynamics which allowed employees to form close bonds and using ‘banter and comradery to relieve stress. However, the persistence of a macho male image meant some participants were reluctant to talk about their feelings at work. Participants described coping strategies (exercise), but these were hard to prioritise in challenging times.
Conclusions: Industry pressures and competitive practices undermine efforts to improve staff wellbeing. Action must be taken at senior levels to address this conflict, while building on existing informal mechanisms of support and stress relief.
Creator
Paige Hulls, Frank de Vocht, Richard Martin, Rebecca Langford
Publisher
Elsevier Korea LLC
Date
January 2022
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 1 2022
Files
Citation
Paige Hulls, Frank de Vocht, Richard Martin, Rebecca Langford, “Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 1 2022
“We are our own worst enemy”: a qualitative exploration of work-related stress in the construction industry,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 26, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2345.
“We are our own worst enemy”: a qualitative exploration of work-related stress in the construction industry,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 26, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2345.