Involving the local community and businesses around the construction jobsite can have a significant positive impact on workers’ mental health and wellbeing. Building relationships with the local community and businesses can create a sense of belonging and social support, which has been shown to improve mental health outcomes.
Research has shown that social support is a key factor in reducing stress and promoting mental health. Involving the local community and businesses can provide workers with a sense of belonging and a support system outside of work. Additionally, it can foster a sense of pride in the community and increase worker satisfaction with their job.
Implementation of this intervention can be achieved through various methods. Employers can partner with local businesses to provide discounts or incentives for workers, such as discounts on meals or services. Employers can also organize community events or volunteer opportunities for workers to engage with the local community.
To ensure the success of involving the local community and businesses, employers can use behavioral science principles such as social support theory and social identity theory. Social support theory posits that social support can improve worker wellbeing and reduce stress. Social identity theory suggests that individuals derive their identity from the groups they belong to, and that social identity can be a powerful motivator for behavior.
Employers can also use positive reinforcement to encourage workers to engage in desirable behavior that supports their mental health and wellbeing. Employers can offer rewards such as recognition, bonuses, or additional time off to workers who engage with the local community and businesses.
Furthermore, involving the local community and businesses can have additional benefits for the construction project itself. It can improve community relations, reduce local opposition to the project, and increase the likelihood of completing the project on time and within budget.
Involving the local community and businesses around the construction jobsite can be an effective intervention for promoting mental health and wellbeing. By providing social support and a sense of belonging, workers can experience reduced stress and increased job satisfaction. By using behavioral science principles and offering incentives, employers can encourage workers to engage with the local community and businesses and ensure the success of this intervention.
Sources:
Cohen, S. (2004). Social relationships and health. American Psychologist, 59(8), 676-684.
Haslam, S. A., Jetten, J., Postmes, T., & Haslam, C. (2009). Social identity, health and well-being: An emerging agenda for applied psychology. Applied Psychology, 58(1), 1-23.
Mair, J., & May, D. (2017). A review of the literature on community capital and wellbeing. Social Science & Medicine, 194, 130-143.
Pickett, K. M., & Wilkinson, R. G. (2015). Income inequality and health: A causal review. Social Science & Medicine, 128, 316-326.
Wills, T. A., & Shinar, O. (2000). Measuring perceived and received social support. In Cohen, S., Underwood, L.G., & Gottlieb, B.H. (Eds.). Measuring and intervening in social support (pp. 86-135). Oxford University Press.
