Enduring long commutes, a universally disdained aspect of urban living, is not merely an inconvenience rife with noise, air pollution, and ennui; it can also precipitate a decline in mental well-being, as suggested by a recent study detailed in the Journal of Transport & Health. While the adverse effects of protracted daily commutes on physical health—attributable to reduced physical activity, heightened alcohol consumption, and disrupted sleep patterns—have been documented, scant research has explored the mental health ramifications, particularly in Asian countries. Against this backdrop, a study conducted in South Korea, a nation notorious for protracted commuting durations and high depression rates within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), provides illuminating insights.
The investigation, spearheaded by Dr. Lee Dong-wook, a professor in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Inha University Hospital in South Korea, scrutinized data from 23,415 individuals aged 20 to 59. Drawing on the Fifth Korean Working Condition Survey, a nationally representative 2017 survey, participants responded to queries gauging their mental well-being via the World Health Organization’s well-being index. The analysis encompassed an array of variables, such as age, sex, education, income, region, marital status, occupation, and weekly working hours.
The study revealed a disconcerting correlation: individuals enduring more than 60 minutes of daily commuting faced a 1.16 times higher likelihood of experiencing depression compared to those with shorter commutes. Notably, the average commute duration was 47 minutes, translating to nearly four hours weekly—a temporal investment with potential physical and psychological tolls. Researchers postulated that this time deficit curtailed opportunities for stress relief, combating physical fatigue through adequate sleep, and engaging in hobbies or other activities fostering well-being.
Moreover, the study did not establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship but underscored a compelling link between extended commutes and compromised mental health. The association was particularly pronounced among unmarried men working over 52 hours weekly without children. Conversely, for women, lengthy commutes correlated more strongly with depressive symptoms among low-income workers, shift workers, and those with children.
Conclusively, the study proffers a sobering realization: the daily grind of prolonged commutes transcends physical inconveniences, casting a shadow on mental health, thereby necessitating a nuanced approach to urban planning and workplace practices.
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