Associations between daily‐on‐the job hassles with perceived mental exertion and depression symptoms in taxi drivers

Abstract

Introduction Taxi drivers experience frequent hassles that may contribute to mental exertion and depression symptoms. Aim Mental exertion and depression symptoms in taxi drivers are explored in association with hassles, effort‐reward imbalance, job strain, and iso‐strain. Methods Personal interviews were conducted with 130 drivers in San Francisco. Results Mental exertion averaged 4.5 (±2.68) and physical exertion averaged 3.71 (±2.1) on 0 to 10 Borg scales. Based on the Center for Epidemiological Studies‐Depression scale, 38% had depression symptoms. Mental exertion and depression symptoms correlated with job strain, iso‐strain and effort‐reward imbalance in anticipated directions, lending construct validity to the Borg mental exertion scale. Physical exertion, night shift, stressful personal events, and being uninsured for healthcare predicted mental exertion. Lack of respect by dispatchers and stressful personal events predicted depression symptoms. Conclusion Selected hassles may be remedied by communication trainings, emphasizing mutual respect. Recognition and treatment of depression in taxi drivers are important.

Co-Design of an eHealth Intervention to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Male Taxi Drivers: ManGuard

“…The online survey and input from the PAG further support previously reported associations between taxi driving and higher perceived levels of psychological stress [ 4 , 6 , 9 , 51 , 52 , 56 , 57 , 58 ]. Increased stress is caused by financial pressures, long working hours, and abusive customers.…”

“…The online survey and conversations held with taxi drivers during PAG meetings helped uncover knowledge regarding the working lives of taxi drivers in Northern Ireland, data previously unexplored. Similar to previous research conducted with taxi drivers in other countries [ 5 , 9 , 13 , 14 , 56 , 57 ], those working in Northern Ireland had been in the job for an average of 11 years. Of concern is the significant association reported between working as a taxi driver for more than ten years and an increased risk of both CVD [ 9 ] and myocardial infarction [ 12 ].…”

Precarious employment and migrant workers’ mental health: a systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies

“…Seven quantitative studies reported workers' rights (21,23,40,59,64,69) with three of them yielding evidence for an association between lack workers' rights and mental health outcomes (21,59,64).…”

“…Scand J Work Environ Health -online first Precarious employment and mental health in migrant workers ciation between precarious employment and physical health problems such as musculoskeletal issues (17), cardiovascular diseases (18), occupational accidents and injury (19,20). Results of other studies also show that precarious work conditions have an influence on mental health problems such as depression (21), anxiety and stress (22), suicidal ideation (23,24), sleep issues and burnout (24)(25)(26). Accordingly, there are a number of systematic reviews that have synthesized the evidence for detrimental mental health effects of different dimensions of precarious employment (5,9,(27)(28)(29)(30)(31).…”