Can Professionalization Alleviate Job Burnout in Construction Workers in China? A Multivariable Mediating Model

Guodong Ni (), Xinyue Miao, Li Li, Huaikun Li, Shaobo Wang and Miaomiao Niu
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Guodong Ni: School of Mechanics & Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Xinyue Miao: School of Mechanics & Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Li Li: School of Mechanics & Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Huaikun Li: School of Mechanics & Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Shaobo Wang: School of Mechanics & Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Miaomiao Niu: School of Mechanics & Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-22

Abstract: Burnout is at all-time highs across modern professions. As a typical labor-intensive industry, the high-pressure and task-driven nature of the construction industry makes construction workers more prone to burnout. It is still unclear whether increasing the professionalization level can lessen the many harmful consequences of job burnout on construction workers’ employment. Therefore, this study examined the influencing mechanism of professionalization on job burnout in the construction industry. First, a theoretical model based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory was developed with workload, job insecurity, and work–family conflict as moderating variables. A reliable sample of 441 Chinese construction workers were then recruited in the investigation. The data analysis was supported by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicated that: (i) an increase in the professionalization level could be directly effective in alleviating job burnout among construction workers; (ii) workload and work–family conflict could play an independent and continuous mediating role between professionalization and job burnout; and (iii) while job insecurity caused by a low professionalization did not have a direct impact on job burnout, it could have an indirect impact on job burnout through workload and work–family conflict, respectively. This study enriches the literature on job burnout among construction workers, as well as provides a theoretical basis and practical management guidance for Chinese construction companies to alleviate job burnout in workers from a professionalization standpoint.

Keywords: job burnout; construction worker; professionalization level; workload; job insecurity; work–family conflict; structural equation modeling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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