Identifying stress and coping behavior factors of ethnic minority workers in the construction industry via a focus group
Abstract
The construction industry is notorious for stressful jobs, particularly for ethnic minority construction workers (EM-CWs), who experience complicated issues in the host country. Despite the high-level stress of EM-CWs compared to native construction workers, the particular coping behaviors of EM-CWs is unclear. Due to their cultural differences, religious beliefs, and possible stigma related to sharing feelings, typical stress management strategies may not be effective in relieving the stress of EM-CWs. To manage the stress of EM-CWs and also to benefit organizational productivity, it is important to identify the specific coping behaviors adopted by EM-CWs in response to stress. Therefore, this study aims to explore the stress management factors of EM-CWs. Six focus group discussions were conducted, made up of five EM-CWs groups (three general worker groups and two skilled worker groups) and one group of foremen. Contextual analysis was used to analyze the focus groups’ qualitative data. The study identified 11 items of stress for EM-CWs in two major categories: emotional and physical stress. In addition to problem-focused (i.e., planned problem-solving, seeking instrumental support, and cognitive appraisal) and emotion-focused coping behaviors (i.e., seeking emotional support, emotional discharge, and escapism), the current study also explored religious-focused coping behaviors (i.e., religious practice, service, and meditation) of EM-CWs. The findings advance coping-behavior literature by addressing important features of religious coping behaviors in the construction industry. The study explored the unique stress management factors of EM-CWs, which can be used to manage the stress of EM-CWs, improve their stress management approaches, and design various stress management programs for EM-CWs. Furthermore, several recommendations were made in initiating time management training, encouraging organizations to consider mental health needs in the construction industry, acknowledging the specific cultural context of EM-CWs, striving to reduce the stigma around sharing emotions under stress, facilitating an adequate on-site environment to practice religion, and introducing mindfulness programs to relieve EM-CW stress and improve their performance.
Keyword : construction workers, coping behaviors, ethnic minority, focus group, stress
How to Cite
Ahmed, K., Leung, M.- yung, & Li, Y. (2024). Identifying stress and coping behavior factors of ethnic minority workers in the construction industry via a focus group. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 30(6), 508–519. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2024.21533
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
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Conchie, S. M., Moon, S., & Duncan, M. (2013). Supervisors’ engagement in safety leadership: Factors that help and hinder. Safety Science, 51(1), 109–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2012.05.020
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Devkota, H. R., Bhandari, B., & Adhikary, P. (2021) Perceived mental health, wellbeing and associated factors among Nepali male migrant and non-migrant workers: A qualitative study. Journal of Migration and Health, 3, Article 100013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2020.100013
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Folkman, S. (2010) Stress, coping, and hope. Psycho‐Oncology, 19(9), 901–908. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.1836
Ganster, D. C., & Rosen, C. C. (2013). Work stress and employee health: A multidisciplinary review. Journal of Management, 39(5), 1085–1122. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206313475815
Han, Y., & Wang, L. (2018). Identifying barriers to off-site construction using grey DEMATEL approach: case of China. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 24(5), 364–377. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2018.5181
Hill, P. C., & Pargament, K. I. (2003). Advances in the conceptualization and measurement of religion and spirituality: Implications for physical and mental health research. American Psychologist, 58(1), 64–74. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.58.1.64
Ho, P. H. (2016). Labour and skill shortages in Hong Kong’s construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 23(4), 533–550. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-12-2014-0165
Hughes, D. L., & DuMont, K. (1993). Using focus groups to facilitate culturally anchored research. American Journal of Community Psychology, 21(6), 775–806. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00942247
International Labour Organization. (2020). Developing the construction industry for employment-intensive infrastructure investments.
Kim, J. M., Son, K., Yum, S. G., & Ahn, S. (2020). Analyzing the risk of safety accidents: The relative risks of migrant workers in construction industry. Sustainability, 12(13), Article 5430. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135430
Kronfol, Z., Saleh, M., & Al-Ghafry, M. (2014). Mental health issues among migrant workers in Gulf Cooperation Council countries: literature review and case illustrations. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 10, 109–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2014.03.003
Kruger, L. J., Rodgers, R. F., Long, S. J., & Lowy, A. S. (2019). Individual interviews or focus groups? Interview format and women’s self-disclosure. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 22(3), 245–255. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2018.1518857
Kwan, C. K., Baig, R. B., & Lo, K. C. (2018). Stressors and coping strategies of ethnic minority youth: Youth and mental health practitioners’ perspectives. Children and Youth Services Review, 88, 497–503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.04.002
Langdon, R. R., & Sawang, S. (2018). Construction workers’ well-being: What leads to depression, anxiety, and stress?. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 144(2), Article 04017100. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001406
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Coping and adaptation. In W. D. Gentry (Ed.), The handbook of behavioral medicine (pp. 282–325). New York: Guilford.
Lerner, D., Adler, D., Shayani, A., & Rogers, W. H. (2021). Research on the Tufts be well at work program for employees with depression: 2005–2020. Psychiatric Services, 72(12), 1441–1450. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000762
Leung, M. Y., Liu, A. M., & Wong, M. M. K. (2006). Impact of stress‐coping behaviour on estimation performance. Construction Management and Economics, 24(1), 55–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446190500228381
Leung, M., Chan, Y., & Olomolaiye, P. (2008). Impact of stress on the performance of construction project managers. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 134(8), 644–652. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2008)134:8(644)
Leung, M. Y., Yu, J., & Chan, Y. S. (2014). Focus group study to explore critical factors of public engagement process for mega development projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 140(3), Article 04013061. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000815
Leung, M. Y., Chan, I. Y. S., & Cooper, C. (2015). Stress management in the construction industry. New York, US: Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118456361
Liang, Q., Leung, M. Y., & Ahmed, K. (2021). How adoption of coping behaviors determines construction workers’ safety: A quantitative and qualitative investigation. Safety Science, 133, Article 105035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.105035
Liang, Q., Zhou, Z., Li, X., Hu, Q., & Ye, G. (2022). Revealing the mechanism of stress generation for construction frontline professionals through development of structural stressors–coping–stress models. Safety Science, 150, Article 105708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2022.105708
Liu, Q., Feng, Y., London, K., & Zhang, P. (2023). Coping strategies for work and cultural stressors in multicultural construction workplaces: a study in Australia. Construction Management and Economics, 41(7), 537–553. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2023.2171450
Lyu, S., Hon, C. K., Chan, A. P., Javed, A. A., Zhang, R. P., & Wong, F. K. (2020). An exploratory study of safety communication networks of ethnic minority crews in the Hong Kong construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 28(4), 1156–1175. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-07-2019-0368
Lyu, S., Hon, C. K., Chan, A. P., Jiang, X., & Skitmore, M. (2023). Critical factors affecting the safety communication of ethnic minority construction workers. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 149(2), Article 04022173. https://doi.org/10.1061/JCEMD4.COENG-12680
Mellner, C., Krantz, G., & Lundberg, U. (2005). Medically unexplained symptoms in women as related to physiological stress responses. Stress and Health: Journal of International Society for the Investigation of Stress, 21(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.1037
Mirza, A., Birtel, M. D., Pyle, M., & Morrison, A. P. (2019). Cultural differences in psychosis: The role of causal beliefs and stigma in White British and South Asians. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 50(3), 441–459. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022118820168
Morgen, D. L., & Krueger, R. A. (1998). The focus group kit. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Mucci, N., Traversini, V., Giorgi, G., Tommasi, E., De Sio, S., & Arcangeli, G. (2019). Migrant workers and psychological health: A systematic review. Sustainability, 12(1), Article 120. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12010120
Nguyen, D. V. M., Vu, A. T., Ross, V., Brijs, T., Wets, G., & Brijs, K. (2021). Small-displacement motorcycle crashes and risky ridership in Vietnam: Findings from a focus group and in-depth interview study. Safety Science, 152, Article 105514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105514
Nixon, A. E., Mazzola J. J., Bauer J., Krueger J. R., & Spector, P. E. (2011). Can work make you sick? A meta-analysis of relationships between job stressors and physical symptoms. Work and Stress, 25, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2011.569175
Noor, N. M., & Shaker, M. N. (2017). Perceived workplace discrimination, coping and psychological distress among unskilled Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 57, 19–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2017.01.004
Nwaogu, J. M., Chan, A. P. C., & Naslund, J. A. (2022). Measures to improve the mental health of construction personnel based on expert opinions. Journal of Management in Engineering, 38(4), Article 04022019. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0001045
Owolabi, H. A., Oyedele, L. O., Alaka, H. A., Ajayi, S. O., Akinade, O. O., & Bilal, M. (2020). Critical success factors for ensuring bankable completion risk in PFI/PPP megaprojects. Journal of Management in Engineering, 36(1), Article 04019032. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000717
Oswald, D., Sherratt, F., Smith, S. D., & Hallowell, M. R. (2018). Exploring safety management challenges for multi-national construction workforces: a UK case study. Construction Management and Economics, 36, 291–301. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2017.1390242
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