IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i6p2631-d1613718.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Impact of the Tunnel Micro-Environment on Workers’ Behavior: Considering the Mediating Role of Mental Health

Author

Listed:
  • Hao Sun

    (College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
    Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Xi’an 710127, China
    School of Resource Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

  • Sheng Zhang

    (School of Resource Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

  • Youyou Jiang

    (School of Resource Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

  • Xingxin Nie

    (School of Resource Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

  • Mingdong Kuang

    (College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China)

  • Zheng Liu

    (School of Resource Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

Abstract

Against the backdrop of accelerated global infrastructure development, one of the key objectives of sustainable development is to achieve a construction model that is safe, efficient, and environmentally low-impact. Therefore, the safety of tunnel construction and the health of workers have become central issues in sustainable development. The present study explores the relationship between the tunnel micro-environment and unsafe behavior of construction workers, with a focus on the mediating role of mental health. The study collected construction micro-environment data, basic information of construction workers, mental health status, and data on unsafe behavior from six tunnels as research samples. The tunnel micro-environment was primarily tested for noise and dust concentration. Noise data were obtained through on-site measurements, while dust concentrations were obtained from both field measurements and Fluent numerical simulations. The findings of the research indicate that noise and dust concentration in the tunnel micro-environment have a significant impact on the mental health and unsafe behavior of construction workers ( p < 0.001). Based on structural equation modelling, we found that the stress, emotional regulation ability, and physical health statuses of tunnel construction workers had a significant impact on their mental health. Behaviors such as ignoring warning signs and working in high-risk areas had the most significant impact on unsafe behavior, with standardized path coefficients greater than 0.75. Concurrently, mental health status played a significant mediating role between the tunnel micro-environment and unsafe behavior. Finally, the study determined the environmental threshold values for noise and dust concentration at varying risk levels. This finding is of significant value in the reduction in occupational disease risks, the enhancement of the livability of work environments, and the provision of scientific evidence for the long-term sustainable development of infrastructure construction.

Suggested Citation

  • Hao Sun & Sheng Zhang & Youyou Jiang & Xingxin Nie & Mingdong Kuang & Zheng Liu, 2025. "The Impact of the Tunnel Micro-Environment on Workers’ Behavior: Considering the Mediating Role of Mental Health," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-24, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2631-:d:1613718
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/6/2631/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/6/2631/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bob B.M. Wong & Ulrika Candolin, 2015. "Behavioral responses to changing environments," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 26(3), pages 665-673.
    2. Gabriele Giorgi & Luigi Isaia Lecca & Federico Alessio & Georgia Libera Finstad & Giorgia Bondanini & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Giulio Arcangeli & Nicola Mucci, 2020. "COVID-19-Related Mental Health Effects in the Workplace: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-22, October.
    3. Joana Eva Dodoo & Hosam Al-Samarraie, 2019. "Factors leading to unsafe behavior in the twenty first century workplace: a review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 69(4), pages 391-414, November.
    4. Ruipeng Tong & Yunyun Yang & Xiaofei Ma & Yanwei Zhang & Shian Li & Hongqing Yang, 2019. "Risk Assessment of Miners’ Unsafe Behaviors: A Case Study of Gas Explosion Accidents in Coal Mine, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-18, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ullah, Faiz & Harrigan, Nicholas M., 2022. "A natural experiment in social security as public health measure: Experiences of international students as temporary migrant workers during two Covid-19 lockdowns," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    2. Michał Błaszczyk & Milan Popović & Karolina Zajdel & Radosław Zajdel, 2022. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Organisation of Remote Work in IT Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Francesco Pace & Giulia Sciotto & Naomi Alexia Randazzo & Vincenza Macaluso, 2022. "Teachers’ Work-Related Well-Being in Times of COVID-19: The Effects of Technostress and Online Teaching," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-10, October.
    4. Clément Cormi & Stéphane Sanchez & Valentine de l’Estoile & Laura Ollivier & Aude Letty & Gilles Berrut & Emmanuel Mulin, 2021. "Telepsychiatry to Provide Mental Health Support to Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Survey among 321 Healthcare Professionals in France," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-14, September.
    5. Alexander Frank Pasquel Cajas & Verónica Tomasa Cajas Bravo & Roberto Carlos Dávila Morán, 2023. "Remote Work in Peru during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-25, February.
    6. Lauren R. Gullett & Dana M. Alhasan & W. Braxton Jackson & Chandra L. Jackson, 2022. "Employment Industry and Occupational Class in Relation to Serious Psychological Distress in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-26, July.
    7. Ruixin Su & Bojan Obrenovic & Jianguo Du & Danijela Godinic & Akmal Khudaykulov, 2022. "COVID-19 Pandemic Implications for Corporate Sustainability and Society: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-23, January.
    8. Perri Campbell & Erin Wilson & Luke John Howie & Andrew Joyce & Jenny Crosbie & Robyn Eversole, 2024. "The Role of Shared Resilience in Building Employment Pathways with People with a Disability," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 4(1), pages 1-16, January.
    9. Giovanni Polverino & Upama Aich & Jack A Brand & Michael G Bertram & Jake M Martin & Hung Tan & Vrishin R Soman & Rachel T Mason & Bob B M Wong, 2023. "Sex-specific effects of psychoactive pollution on behavioral individuality and plasticity in fish," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 34(6), pages 969-978.
    10. Mehran Shayganfard & Fateme Mahdavi & Mohammad Haghighi & Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani & Serge Brand, 2021. "Sources of Health Anxiety for Hospital Staff Working during the Covid-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-11, March.
    11. Long, X. & Ji, Xi & Ulgiati, S., 2017. "Is urbanization eco-friendly? An energy and land use cross-country analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 387-396.
    12. Andrés Calvache-Mateo & Laura López-López & Javier Martín-Núñez & Alejandro Heredia-Ciuró & María Granados-Santiago & Araceli Ortiz-Rubio & Marie Carmen Valenza, 2023. "Pain and Clinical Presentation: A Cross-Sectional Study of Patients with New-Onset Chronic Pain in Long-COVID-19 Syndrome," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-15, February.
    13. Yu, Kai & Zhou, Lujie & Jin, Weiqiang & Chen, Yu, 2024. "Prediction of coal mine risk based on BN-ELM: Gas risk early warning including human factors," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    14. Joel Isabirye, 2021. "The Behavioral Theory of the Firm: Foundations, Tenets and Relevance," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 19(1), pages 324-335, May.
    15. Tanja Laukkala & Jaana Suvisaari & Tom Rosenström & Eero Pukkala & Kristiina Junttila & Henna Haravuori & Katinka Tuisku & Toni Haapa & Pekka Jylhä, 2021. "COVID-19 Pandemic and Helsinki University Hospital Personnel Psychological Well-Being: Six-Month Follow-Up Results," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-9, March.
    16. Michel P. Guillemin, 2021. "New Avenues for Prevention of Work-Related Diseases Linked to Psychosocial Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, October.
    17. Thanakrit Jeamjitvibool & Cherdsak Duangchan & Andria Mousa & Wiriya Mahikul, 2022. "The Association between Resilience and Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-17, November.
    18. Ivet Bayes-Marin & Maria Roura-Adserias & Iago Giné-Vázquez & Felipe Villalobos & Marta Franch-Roca & Amanda Lloret-Pineda & Aina Gabarrell-Pascuet & Yuelu He & Rachid El Hafi & Fajar Matloob Ahmed Bu, 2022. "Factors Associated with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among Migrant Population in Spain during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-14, November.
    19. Laura Ferro & Marina Cariello & Alessandra Colombesi & Alberto Segantini & Eleonora Centonze & Giorgia Baccini & Stefania Cristofanelli, 2022. "Burnout Syndrome and COVID-19 Lockdown: Research on Residential Care Workers Who Assume Parental Roles with Youths," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-20, December.
    20. Susan Gritzka & Peter Angerer & Reinhard Pietrowsky & Mathias Diebig, 2022. "The Impact of the Implementation of Preventive Measures Due to COVID-19 on Work Design and Early Childhood Professionals’ Well-Being—A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-30, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2631-:d:1613718. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.