Impact of Economic Inflation on the Mental Health of Construction Professionals: A Quantitative Study

Economic inflation remains a persistent and multifaceted challenge, creating uncertainty across various sectors, particularly affecting the construction industry. As a cornerstone of financial stability, the construction sector plays a vital role in shaping nations, building infrastructure, and driving societal growth. However, amid discussions of inflation and economic trends, the mental health of the construction workforce has often been overlooked, emerging as an unrecognized casualty of inflation's impact. Despite its significance, limited attention has been paid to understanding how inflation affects the mental well-being of industry professionals. This research explores the intricate relationship between economic inflation and the psychological well-being of construction professionals. Data were gathered through an online survey completed by 155 professionals globally. Results indicated how inflation intensifies stressors such as job insecurity, financial instability, workload pressures, and safety concerns. Among the respondents, 40% indicated that they were experiencing moderate stress levels, which tended to affect their focus, mood, or behavior. Notably, 48% of respondents reported increased stress levels directly attributable to inflation, and the percentage of professionals with high stress levels increased by nearly 24% due to inflation. Moreover, inflation intensified the negative mental health effects on professionals experiencing salary reductions. The results also indicated that variations in mental health are significantly influenced by demographic factors and working environments, with high levels of statistical significance (<0.001). Additionally, the lingering effects of past stressors were evident in present mental health outcomes, with inflation acting as a critical covariate. Ultimately, this study contributes to a broader conversation about the need to prioritize mental health within the construction industry. The findings highlight key considerations for policymakers and stakeholders in shaping the strategies to foster a more resilient, supportive, and employee well-being work environment.