The relationship between psychosocial hazards and mental health in the construction industry: A meta-analysis
This meta-analysis assessed the current state of evidence on the relationship between psychosocial hazards and mental health in the construction industry.
48 studies were included covering 14 identified psychosocial hazards (PSH).
Before moving into the findings, the authors provided a quick summary of some existing research findings:
·????????Workload, job control and family-related concerns ranked in the top three most prevalent PSH
·????????Welfare and socioeconomic conditions (concerns about income or job insecurity) and poor coping mechanisms (substance abuse) also ranked in the findings
·????????Project overload and home-work conflict also ranked among the top stressors
Results
When the findings are pooled across all included 14 PSH, a statistically significant and moderate positive relationship was found (that is, a moderate strength relationship was found between PSH and mental health outcomes).
When looking at individual PSH, a range of different relationships were found. Role conflict, then role ambiguity, job insecurity and interpersonal conflict had the strongest relationships. After this, role overload was the next strongest PSH.
The data was then analysed by continent, finding some slight variations. I’ve skipped over most of these findings, however one main finding was that the mental health of construction employees in Asia appeared to be more strongly influenced by PSH compared to other locations. Authors speculate that large numbers of people and limited resource and fierce competition has “always put construction employees in Asia under great work pressure” (p8).
Construction workers in European countries reported low job support, job insecurity and role overload to be the main impacts on their mental health, whereas in Oceania and North America interpersonal conflict, lack of job support and role overload scored higher.
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Not enough data existed about the specific construction trades. However, construction professionals (project managers, architects, engineers etc.) seemed to be more affected by low job resources (low job control) compared to construction trade workers, who were more influenced by high job demands (role overload, interpersonal conflict, job insecurity).
Mental health outcomes seemed to be more associated with PSH when measured in the short-term compared to the long-term.
In discussing the results, authors note that it was interesting to observe that high job demands (role conflict, role ambiguity, job insecurity, interpersonal conflict and role overload) were more connected to adverse mental health outcomes than low job resources (low job support, low reward and recognition, low job control, and lack of career development).
On this, they note that “attention should be paid to avoid overburdening construction employees with excessive job demands, so as to reduce the negative influence on mental health and related poor job performance” (p8).
As noted, role conflict was found to have the strongest association with mental health in construction. The influence of conflicting roles may increase a workers’ psychological burden and impact their work performance; multiple roles can also mean workers don’t have enough time to deal with stress. This is amplified by the competitive tender-based work of the industry.
Furthermore, the issue of job insecurity being an important predictor of mental health problems is also amplified by the project-based nature of construction, where workers “worry about their future employment in this highly competitive and unpredictable market, leading to psychological stress” (p8).
The finding for interpersonal conflict is also relevant. Construction is said to involve an adversarial environment due to multiple stakeholders fighting over their own high interest stakes, financial outcomes etc. The influence of construction scheduling, owner specifications, lack of communication and bullying “could trigger interpersonal conflict” (p8).
Despite construction workers not having a high degree of job control compared to other occupations, the impact of lack of job control on mental health was weaker than the other factors. The authors suggest that this might be because construction workers have learned not to have high expectations for job control (e.g. they just learn to live with that reality).
Finally, a range of work-related PSH may have spill-over effects into home life, thereby impacting more general mental health outcomes.
Link in comments.
Authors: Chenjunyan Sun, Carol K.H. Hon, K?rsten A. Way, Nerina L. Jimmieson, Bo Xia, 2022, Safety Science
Board Member, Investor, Entrepreneur.
3 年Confirmation bias? It seems the more we discuss and look for it, the more we find it.
Associate Director, Health and Safety
3 年Very interesting indeed. Thanks for sharing Ben.
Safety nerd & Human and Organisational Performance (HOP) practitioner | Big fan of the frontline, HSE innovation, & de-cluttering | Enthusiastic, but mediocre ping-ponger?? | Kiwi
3 年Very interesting thanks as always Ben. With the increased focus on mental health in the workplace (notably in Australia) I wonder when some of the PSH hazards within the employer’s control will be addressed and how these could be considered in a legal context under duty of care should an incident occur? Eg high job demands due to schedule pressure etc ? Yikes!
Organisational Psychologist??Managing Director??Psychosocial Safety Partner??Psychosocial Risk Expert??Helping organisations minimise harm to their people ??Make complex things simple??Dedicated to making a difference
3 年So interesting and so much food for thought! What comes to mind is the concept of expectation. Expectation of self, expectation of the role, and perceived expectation from supervisors. Wondering whether that has a moderating effect ??
Safety Professional
3 年Thanks Ben for sharing routinely