Mental Well-Being in the Construction Industry

Construction work combines high physical risk, demanding schedules and a predominantly male workforce. The sector is marked by fluctuating project cycles, role ambiguity and intense time pressures, all of which contribute to a complex psychosocial environment. Prolonged exposure to heavy workload, long hours and workplace conflicts can lead to elevated levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Additionally, work–family interference and limited social support exacerbate vulnerability to burnout and diminish job performance. Despite growing recognition of these issues, stigma around mental health persists and access to tailored interventions remains uneven. Recent efforts focus on embedding mental health awareness into safety culture, introducing peer-support schemes and enhancing organisational policies to promote resilience, reduce stigma and improve overall well-being across diverse roles and regions.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Mental Well-Being in the Construction Industry publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in mental well-being in the construction industry across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Job demands–resources model: A theoretical framework linking workplace demands (e.g., workload) and resources (e.g., support) to employee well-being and performance.

Work–family conflict: A form of inter-role conflict where pressures from work and family roles are mutually incompatible, leading to stress and reduced satisfaction.

Job burnout: A psychological syndrome characterised by emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and a sense of reduced personal accomplishment.

Psychological capital: An individual’s positive psychological state, including self-efficacy, optimism, hope and resilience, that can mitigate stress.

Career calling: A strong internal drive and sense of purpose toward one’s work that can buffer the adverse effects of job stress.

References

1. Unequal Ground: Gender Disparities at Work Life in the Construction Industry. Administrative Sciences (2024).
2. Role Stress, Job Burnout, and Job Performance in Construction Project Managers: The Moderating Role of Career Calling. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2019).
3. Workplace risk factors for anxiety and depression in male-dominated industries: a systematic review. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine (2014).