Strategies for the development of mental toughness of construction professionals: the case of Ghana

Evans Kwesi Mireku, Ernest Kissi, Ivy Maame Abu, Alex Acheampong, Nana Kwame Peprah Armah
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Abstract

Purpose The construction sector is recognized for subjecting its workers to various psychological pressures and mental stressors. As a result, it is crucial to explore and discover effective strategies to support these workers in managing and enduring these demanding circumstances. Mental toughness is a concept that has been advocated to aid individuals in coping and adapting to pressures and challenges. Therefore, it is imperative to explore strategies critical to developing mental toughness among construction professionals. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify critical strategies for the development of mental toughness among construction professionals. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect and PubMed databases to identify the strategies for the development of mental toughness. These identified strategies were used to develop a structured closed-ended questionnaire to aid in data collection. Of the 317 questionnaires distributed, 207 were collected and used for data analysis. The data were analysed using mean score ranking and one sample t-test. Findings The study highlighted 12 critical strategies for the development of mental toughness among construction professionals. These include recognizing and rewarding achievements, taking time for self-care, organizing mental training programs, using positive self-talk, embracing a growth mindset, providing social support/developing a strong support network, creating a challenging training environment, engaging in regular physical exercise, fostering a mastery motivational climate, setting clear but challenging goals, practicing mental imagery and practicing reflection on setbacks and failures. The analysis results indicated that all of the strategies, except one (which involves practicing reflection on setbacks and failures), displayed significance. By incorporating these strategies, construction firms and the industry as a whole can empower their workforce to cope and/or overcome the various demands and stressors that work and life places on them. Research limitations/implications The study highlights the significance of recognizing and rewarding achievements, fostering a growth mindset and implementing mental training programs to cultivate mental toughness among construction professionals. Moreover, promoting self-care practices and offering social support are essential strategies for enhancing mental resilience in the construction industry. By adopting these evidence-based approaches, construction organizations can create a mentally tough workforce capable of handling the challenges and demands of the industry effectively. Originality/value This study contributes significantly to the general body of knowledge in mental health management among employees in the construction industry. It does set the pace for the development of the general well-being of construction professionals in the achievement of mental toughness goals.
培养建筑专业人员心理韧性的战略:加纳案例
目的 众所周知,建筑行业的工人承受着各种心理压力和精神压力。因此,探索和发现有效的策略以支持这些工人管理和承受这些苛刻的环境至关重要。心理韧性这一概念被认为有助于个人应对和适应压力与挑战。因此,探索培养建筑专业人员心理韧性的关键策略势在必行。因此,本研究的目的是确定培养建筑专业人员心理韧性的关键策略。设计/方法/途径 使用 Google Scholar、Scopus、ScienceDirect 和 PubMed 数据库进行了全面的文献综述,以确定培养心理韧性的策略。这些已确定的策略被用于编制结构化封闭式问卷,以帮助收集数据。在发放的 317 份问卷中,收集到 207 份用于数据分析。研究结果该研究强调了培养建筑专业人员心理韧性的 12 项关键策略。这些策略包括认可和奖励成就、花时间进行自我保健、组织心理训练计划、使用积极的自我对话、接受成长型思维模式、提供社会支持/发展强大的支持网络、创造具有挑战性的训练环境、定期进行体育锻炼、营造掌握激励氛围、设定明确但具有挑战性的目标、练习心理想象以及练习对挫折和失败进行反思。分析结果表明,除一种策略(对挫折和失败进行反思)外,其他策略都具有重要意义。通过采用这些策略,建筑公司和整个行业可以增强其员工的能力,以应对和/或克服工作和生活中的各种需求和压力。研究局限性/意义本研究强调了认可和奖励成就、培养成长型思维模式以及实施心理训练计划对培养建筑专业人员心理韧性的重要意义。此外,促进自我保健实践和提供社会支持也是增强建筑行业心理韧性的基本策略。通过采用这些以证据为基础的方法,建筑企业可以培养出一支心理坚韧的员工队伍,能够有效地应对行业的挑战和需求。它确实为建筑专业人员在实现心理韧性目标方面的总体福利发展迈出了步伐。
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