A groundbreaking study in South Korea sheds light on the detrimental effects of long commutes on mental health.
Exposing the research gap: While the frustrations of long commutes, particularly traffic, noise and air pollution, are well known, there has been a significant gap in understanding the health implications, particularly in Asian countries.
South Korea, known for having some of the longest commutes and high rates of depression among OECD countries, served as the backdrop for the comprehensive study to determine the links between daily travel and mental well-being.
Key findings: Conducted by a team led by Dr Lee Dong-wook of Inha University Hospital, the study looked at data from 23,415 people aged 20 to 59, taken from the World Health Organisation’s Well-Being Index.
The study, published in the Journal of Transport & Health, found that those who commute more than an hour a day are 16% more likely to experience depressive symptoms than their counterparts with shorter commutes. The average daily commute is 47 minutes, which equates to almost four hours per week.
Demographic nuances: The results showed that among men, the association between longer commutes and depressive symptoms was strongest among those who were unmarried, worked more than 52 hours per week, and had no children. In contrast, women who faced long commutes were most vulnerable if they were on low incomes, shift workers or mothers.
The study identified socio-economic conditions as an influential factor in the mental health of commuters. However, the researchers noted that while they adjusted for factors such as age, income and occupation, they couldn’t account for individual risk factors such as family history. The study also predates the widespread shift to remote working prompted by the pandemic.
Tackling the problem: The study calls for tailored approaches, highlighting the need for interventions that address specific demographic characteristics such as age, gender and income to effectively mitigate the negative impact of commuting time on depressive symptoms. The study also recommends improved transport infrastructure to reduce commuting time and improve overall mental health, particularly for low-income workers.
