Work-related stress, psychophysiological strain, and recovery among on-site construction personnel

Abstract

Work-related stress can negatively impact psychophysiological well-being and recovery. However, this has not received adequate attention in the construction industry. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of work pressure on physiological health. To achieve the aim, HRV and sleep health data were collected from 56 construction personnel using wearable technologies, followed by a post-experiment interview. The experimental data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis. The study deduced that although construction personnel were subjected to excessive sympathetic nervous activity resulting in an increased need for recovery, proper recovery was disrupted due to excessively reduced parasympathetic activities during the day. The result indicated that construction personnel are exposed to excessive cardiovascular risk factors, increasing their vulnerability to endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and other adverse health outcomes. The findings will impact individual and organizational practices necessary to boost sleep health for proper cardiovascular and cognitive functioning.