Impact Of Stress On The Performance Of Construction Professionals In Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, stress challenges are usually prevalent mostly in construction industry. The

construction industry is a competitive and challenging industry. Therefore, most of the

construction professionals suffer from stress. This study aims to explore the relationship between

stressors, stress levels, performance, and coping behaviors among construction professionals.

These professionals include project managers, architects, field and office engineers, designers,

and other professionals within the contractor organizations in Nigeria. Furthermore, the study

aims at determining the relationship between different stresses and their associated effects to

Nigerian construction professionals, determining and ranking the key stress factors that cause or

increases the stress experienced by Nigerian construction professionals, examining the influence

of stressors on stresses (stress level) among Nigerian construction professionals, determining the

level of effect of stress on coping behaviour of the Nigerian construction professionals, and

determining the level of effect of stress on the performance of the Nigerian construction

professionals. The research method includes literature review, questionnaire survey and

personal interviews. Out of over 250 copies distributed to the targeted professionals, only 147

valid questionnaires were returned and used for the analysis. Follow-up personal interviews

were conducted with 12 interviewees to obtain more in-depth and valuable information.

Quantitative data analysis methods, including factor analysis, reliability test, and Pearson

correlation analyses were applied using statistical analysis tool (SPSS 20). Based on the results,

the following classification of stressors were identified: personal stressor (personality-homework

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). An inclusive stressorsstresses-

performances framework was further developed which summarized the result.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) and also

between stressors and coping behavior strategies. Finally, recommendations are given for

construction organizations and individuals respectively in order to lessen the high stress levels

of construction professionals in Nigeria. This contributes to manage the stress and enhance the

performance.