Work Stress Differences Across Demographic and Work-Related Characteristics Among Project Management Practitioners

Project management practitioners experience high work stress due to project complexity, time pressure, and dynamic organisational environments. Although prior research has examined the personal and organisational determinants of stress among construction professionals, empirical evidence focused specifically on project management roles remains limited, particularly in the Chinese context. This study examines how individual and work-related characteristics influence perceived work stress among project management practitioners in China. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 205 project management practitioners across China. Work stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale. One-way ANOVA and independent t-test was conducted to examine differences in stress levels across demographic and work-related variables, including age, gender, relationship status, education level, project management-oriented work experience, and employment basis. At α = 0.05, age, relationship status, and employment basis each differed on at least one stress item. After Bonferroni adjustment, only relationship status remained significant. Gender, education level, and PM-oriented work experience showed no significant differences. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for demographic identities in individuals in perceived stress among PM practitioners.