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Related Experiment Videos

Rail commuting duration and passenger stress.

Gary W Evans1, Richard E Wener

  • 1Department of Design and Environmental Analysis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-4401, USA. gwe1@cornell.edu

Health Psychology : Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association
|May 25, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Longer commutes increase stress and negatively impact health. This study found that extended travel times correlated with higher cortisol levels, reduced task persistence, and increased perceived stress in rail commuters, regardless of gender.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental health
  • Occupational health
  • Psychoneuroendocrinology

Background:

  • Millions commute daily, yet the health impacts remain understudied.
  • Commuting is a significant source of daily stress for many workers.
  • Understanding commuting's effect on well-being is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between commute duration and physiological/psychological stress markers.
  • To assess the impact of commuting stress on cognitive performance and perceived stress levels.
  • To determine if gender moderates the effects of commuting stress.

Main Methods:

  • Study sample: 208 suburban rail commuters traveling to Manhattan.
  • Data collection: Salivary cortisol levels, task persistence, and perceived stress measures.

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  • Analysis: Correlation between commute duration and measured stress/performance indicators.

    • Main Results:

    • Increased commute duration was associated with higher salivary cortisol levels.
    • Longer commutes led to reduced persistence on post-commute tasks.
    • Greater commute duration correlated with higher levels of perceived stress.
    • No significant gender-based differences were observed in these effects.

    Conclusions:

    • Commuting stress is a significant environmental health concern with measurable physiological and psychological impacts.
    • The duration of the commute is a key factor influencing commuter stress and well-being.
    • These findings highlight the need for greater attention to the health consequences of daily work commutes.