Streblo: the app prototype for managing stress in the construction industry

High levels of stress at work, great responsibilities, hazards and lack of balance between tasks and deadlines are common in the daily lives of many construction workers. Changing the patterns of thinking and behaviours is not an easy mission, and it requires constant support, learning and determination. E-health applications can contribute to this change through their ability to foster continuous interaction with the user. Mobile phone apps have shown promising results in the field of ‘e-health and wellbeing’. Accordingly, an App is being designed as a self-help system for stress management which will enable construction workers to 1) detect the onset of stress quite early, 2) track their stress status, 3) empower persons to cope with stressful and/or demanding situations in an adaptive way, 4) improve and streamline the operability of job tasks, and 5) optimise efficient solutions for the construction industry. The development of this innovative app, known as Streblo, is part of a wider research that is studying stress management in the construction industry. Streblo’s blueprint will match personality traits with coping strategies in real- life situations. Its inputs are being generated from a field study that has commenced, where 23 structured interviews have been used to collect data from construction workers on their 1) personality and 2) behaviours while experiencing stress. Results of the data collection and analysis are being used to develop Streblo (an App) with IT experts. The paper reports the detail development and performance of Streblo’s prototype. Ultimately, users will be able to engage Streblo on electronic devices (mobile phones, tablets, and computers) through both text and image-based communication obtain real-time solutions and feedbacks on their stress status. Streblo will enhance and support attitude and behavioural changes in people who suffer from stress symptoms in the construction industry.Streblo is being developed within a European Commission (EC) project H2020-MSCA- IF-2015/H2020-MSCA-IF-2015, Grant Agreement: 703236 - ‘Inhibiting Stress in the Construction Industry’ (INSTINCT). The authors are very grateful for this funding

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