Commute variability and strain

Abstract

The commute impedance model (e.g. Stokols, Novaco, Stokols and Campbell, 1978) is evaluated through a literature review and a survey of commuters who drive to work (N 418). A new construct for the study of commutingÐcommute variabilityÐis introduced and tested in the framework of the survey. Findings from the literature review indicated (a) partial support for the ®rst proposition of the impedance model namely, that impedanceÐmeasured as commute distance or timeÐcauses strain (e.g. employee health de®cits), but (b) no support for the second proposition of the model namely, that the impedance±strain is moderated by control or the availability of choice. Similarly, the survey showed that (a) commute length (impedance) is consistently correlated with strain, (b) choice is weakly and negatively related to strain, but (c) there is no interactive relationship of choice and length with strain. Furthermore, the results suggest that (a) commute variability is the strongest correlate of commute strain, and that (b) once commute variability is partialled out, most of the partial correlations between impedance and strain are not signi®cant. The paper concludes with an alternative commuting±strain model which includes the new commute-variability construct.The ®rst proposition of the impedance model, namely, that some commute characteristics induce strain, is mainly consistent with the ®ndings of research dealing with car commuting. Commute

Does Commuting Affect Health?

“…So, even though the findings show that those individuals commuting longer have lower subjective health, they do not call in sick more often than those with shorter commuting times. This finding is in contrast to studies that deal with the cross‐sectional relation between commuting time and sickness absence (Hansson et al , ; Kluger, ; Costal et al , ).…”

The Morning Rush Hour

“…Our findings and prior work by Kluger (1998) and Koslowsky and colleagues (1995) also make a theoretical contribution. Together, they provide much needed external validation of prior laboratory studies that have demonstrated the beneficial effects of cognitive control factors such as predictability in the absence of behavioral control options for attenuating stress (Averill, 1973;Evans et al, 1992).…”

“…The present study builds on and extends the ideas and research of Koslowsky and Kluger (Kluger, 1998;Koslowsky et al, 1995) in two respects. First, we examine whether the construct of commute predictability generalizes from automobile commuters to those who rely on mass transit.…”

Commuting stress process and self‐regulation at work: Moderating roles of daily task significance, family interference with work, and commuting means efficacy

“…Employees could feel distressed during the commute due to the perceived threats of arriving at work late and the potential secondary consequences of tardiness, such as pay loss or managerial disciplinary actions. The idea that discrepancy between real-time commute condition and ideal commuting situation can evoke strain is consistent with both theoretical arguments and empirical evidence from existing commuting stress research, which suggests that impedance is one important driver of commuting strain (e.g., Kluger, 1998).…”