Coping behaviours of construction estimators in stress management

Cost estimation does not only require a precise technical and analytical input from estimators but also involve the use of subjective judgment. The short tendering period together with the accuracy required have induced a great deal of stress to estimators. Some clinical studies have shown that reasonable stress could motivate an individual at work and stimulate the output; however excessive stress might seriously affect the performance. An appropriate coping behaviour can adjust the stress for the optimization of estimating performance. This paper aims to (1) identify the estimators' coping us to stress; and (2) investigate the relationships between stress and coping behaviour in the construction estimation. Based on the extensive literature review, two kinds of coping behaviours are identified: problem focused coping behaviours (direct and control action, instrumental support seeking and preparatory action); and emotion-focused coping behaviours (escape, positive/negative emotional discharge and religious emotional support). A questionnaire survey indicates that various behaviours are applied to cope with the stress by the estimators with different working experiences. Senior estimators normally apply problem-focused coping behaviours to alleviate the stress encountered in the jobs, while junior estimators with limited working experiences prefer to seek emotional support from their religions in order to relieve the stress. Sufficient on-job training and problem-solving skills are thus recommended in order to improve their estimation performance