Work Stress among Professionals in the Construction Projects in Gaza Strip

Abstract

Stress problems are intense in Gaza Strip in general and specially in the construction industry. Construction is a competitive, ever-changing, and challenging industry. Therefore, the majority of construction professionals suffer from stress. This study aims to explore the stressors, stress levels, performance, and coping behaviors relationship among construction professionals including project managers, architects, field and office engineers, designers, and other professionals within the contractor organizations in Gaza Strip. This can be obtained by achieving the following objectives. First, identifying and ranking the key stress factors (stressors). Second, assessing the stress levels encountered. Third, determining the impact of stress on working performance. Finally, identifying and ranking the prevailing coping strategies applied to overcome these stresses. To fulfill these objectives, research was carried in three stages: literature review, questionnaire survey and personal interviews. A total number of 183 questionnaires have been completed. Personal interviews with 12 interviewees have been made to obtain more in-depth and valuable information. Quantitative data analysis methods, including factor analysis, reliability test, and Pearson correlation analyses were applied by SPSS 20. Based on the results, personal stressor (personality-home-work conflict), task stressors (work overload), organizational stressors (poor organizational structure, poor organizational policies, treatment, and rewards, and lack of autonomy), coping behavior (plan-full problem solving, positive reappraisal, social support seeking, accepting of responsibility, escapism, denial, and emotional discharge) and impact on performance (task performance, personal performance and organizational performance) were identified. An inclusive stressors-stresses-performances framework was further developed. Pearson correlation analysis showed that there were significant correlation between most of the stressors and each of objective stress level, subjective stress level, and coping behavior strategies. There was a significant relationship between stressors and stress (subjective and objective) but there was no significant relationship between stressors and coping behavior strategies. Finally, recommendations were made for construction organizations and individuals respectively in order to alleviate the high stress levels of construction professionals in Gaza Strip. This aims to manage the stress and optimize the performance.