[Change of occupational stress from 1996 to 2012 among train engine drivers]

Objective: To analyze the change of level of occupational stress between 1996 and 2012 among train engine drivers. Methods: the cross-section investigation was conducted by using cluster sampling method, subjects included 1 116 and 1 002 passenger train engine drivers and freight train engine drivers respectively in 1996 and in 2012;occupational stressors, strains, personalities, buffering factors and individual factors were investigated by using Occupational Stress Instruments. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the associations between job stressors, personalities, buffering factors and individual factors and strains. Multivariate OR(95%CI) were derived from the logistic regression models. Results: From 1996 to 2012, for the passenger train engine drivers the scores of role ambiguity (17.67±5.30 vs.14.11±4.66) increased 25.32%, mental load (10.41±3.56 vs. 16.29±2.08) and physical environment (3.61±2.18 vs. 7.03±1.65) scores decreased 36.10% and 48.64% respectively, sleep disorders (18.04±9.20 vs. 13.35±4.00) and negative affectivity (2.76±1.86 vs. 2.14±1.86) scores increased 33.14% and 28.97% respectively, the differences were statistical significant (P<0.001) . For the freight train engine drivers the scores of sleep disorders (20.33±8.17 vs. 12.47±4.12) and negative affectivity (2.95±1.70 vs. 1.87±1.81) scores increased 57.75% and 60.03% respectively, positive affectivity (2.17±1.60 vs. 2.91±1.50) score decreased 25.43%, the differences were statistical significant (P<0.001) . In general, scores varies in factors related to occupational stress among freight train engine drivers were larger than those among passenger train engine drivers. The risk factor of job dissatisfaction among passenger train drivers in 1996 was insufficient superior support (OR=3.77, 95%CI: 2.23-6.37) , the risk factors in 2012 were insufficient superior support (OR=3.35, 95%CI:1.56-7.17) , poor physical environment (OR=3.61, 95%CI: 1.91-6.80), and fewer positive affectivity (OR=3.47, 95%CI: 1.75-6.82). The risk factor of job dissatisfaction among freight train drivers in 1996 and in 2012 were insufficient superior support (OR (95%CI) were 3.11 (2.31-4.19), 2.59 (1.84-3.65) , respectively). Conclusion: The level of occupational stress among train engine drivers in 2012 was larger than that in 1996, the level of occupational stress among freight train drivers was larger than passenger train drivers, the interventions aimed at reducing occupational stress in the Chinese train engine drivers should take into account promotion for design of job organization and contents and organization management style.