Association Between Commuting Time and Subjective Well-Being in Relation to Regional Differences in Korea

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Urban Studies
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Long commuting times are linked to adverse mental health outcomes.
• Limited research exists on the impact of commuting duration on well-being, considering regional urbanization.
• This study investigates commuting time, regional differences, and well-being among Korean workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between commuting time and subjective well-being in Korean workers.
• To explore the moderating effect of regional differences (cities vs. provinces) on this relationship.
• To identify specific worker demographics affected by long commutes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (n=29,458).
• Assessed commuting time and occupational factors via questionnaire.
• Measured subjective well-being using the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index.
• Employed logistic regression analysis, calculating adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Main Results:

• Longer commuting times (60-79 minutes and ≥ 80 minutes) were significantly associated with lower well-being (aORs of 1.23 and 1.28, respectively).
• The negative association between commuting time and well-being was predominantly observed in workers residing in cities.
• No significant association was found for workers in provinces.

Conclusions:

• Extended commuting durations negatively impact the well-being of Korean wage workers, particularly those in urban areas.
• Urban policies aimed at mitigating commute times are recommended to enhance worker mental health.
• Targeted interventions may be necessary for workers in metropolitan regions facing prolonged commutes.