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The Roles of Motivation and Coping Behaviours in Managing Stress: Qualitative Interview Study of Hong Kong Expatriate Construction Professionals in Mainland China

Author

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  • Isabelle Yee Shan Chan

    (Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China)

  • Mei-yung Leung

    (Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Qi Liang

    (Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Driven by fast-growing economies worldwide, the number of international construction projects is booming, and employing expatriates has inevitably become a strategy used by construction firms. However, stress arising from expatriate assignments can lead to early return, assignment failure, and staff turnover, causing in significant losses to an organisation. Extensive research has focused on the effectiveness of coping behaviours in relation to stress. However, studies investigating the antecedents of coping are rare. The limited studies to date tend to focus on content-based motivations (identifying what), instead of on how coping behaviours can be motivated in the stress management process (identifying how). Focus on expatriate construction professionals (ECPs) is further limited. Hence, this study aims to investigate from a process theory perspective the role of motivation in the stress management process. Using a qualitative interview study approach, involving 22 in-depth interviews, this study first identifies the content of motivation, coping behaviours, performance, and stress in the context of Hong Kong ECPs working on cross-cultural projects in China; it then unveils and explains the associations between the identified variables. Based on the results, stakeholders are recommended to review pre-departure training, so as to ensure that key elements such as personal awareness of stress (cognitive, affective, and physical), expectancies of coping strategies on stress (adaptive or maladaptive), and expectancies of the influence of stress on performance are covered.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabelle Yee Shan Chan & Mei-yung Leung & Qi Liang, 2018. "The Roles of Motivation and Coping Behaviours in Managing Stress: Qualitative Interview Study of Hong Kong Expatriate Construction Professionals in Mainland China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-24, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:3:p:561-:d:137216
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaodong Li & Runshuang Wang & Yizhu Zhao & Fan Yang & Xinyi Wang, 2022. "An Interwoven Psychological Syndrome of Job Burnout and Work Engagement in Construction Project Management Professionals Due to Work–Family Imbalance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-21, October.
    2. Muna Ahmead & Nuha El Sharif & Samer Asad, 2022. "Healthcare Workers’ Emotions, Perceived Stressors, and Coping Strategies at Workplace during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Palestine," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-22, September.
    3. Mohammad Tanvi Newaz & Helen Giggins & Udara Ranasinghe, 2022. "A Critical Analysis of Risk Factors and Strategies to Improve Mental Health Issues of Construction Workers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-14, October.
    4. Kapo Wong & Alan Hoi Shou Chan, 2018. "Emerging Issues in Occupational Safety and Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-4, December.

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