The hassle and frustration of being stuck in traffic is a universally disliked experience. However, recent research has brought attention to the detrimental impact that long daily commutes can have on our overall health. Not only do commuters have less time for physical activity, but they also tend to be overweight, consume more alcohol, and experience poor sleep quality. Moreover, sitting in traffic has been found to raise blood pressure, not due to frustration, but because of the air pollution that drivers inhale.
Interestingly, South Korea, a country known for having some of the longest average commuting times and high rates of depression among OECD nations, has seen little research on the health effects of lengthy commutes. This research gap became the focus of a new study that aimed to understand the impact of long commutes on both physical and mental health, particularly depression.
The study, led by Dong-Wook Lee, a public health researcher at Inha University in Korea, analyzed data from the Fifth Korean Working Condition Survey. The data included information from over 23,000 working-aged participants and covered various aspects of their well-being, including mental health. The average daily commute time among the participants was 47 minutes, which translates to almost 4 hours of commuting per week for those who worked 5 days.
The findings of the study revealed that South Koreans with commutes longer than an hour were 16 percent more likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to those with shorter commutes under 30 minutes. It is important to note that the study does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship between long commutes and mental health, but it highlights a significant correlation.
The analysis of the survey data also revealed some interesting gender differences. For men, the link between long commutes and poorer mental health was most pronounced among those who were unmarried, worked more than 52 hours per week, and had no children. On the other hand, long commuting times had the strongest association with depressive symptoms among low-income female workers, shift workers, and those with children.
The researchers speculate that having less time for stress relief and physical relaxation activities such as sleep, hobbies, and other leisure activities may contribute to these findings. However, it is important to acknowledge that the analysis controlled for factors such as age, work hours, income, occupation, and shift work, but individual risk factors for depressive symptoms, including family history, could not be fully considered.
While the specific modes of transport used by the commuters were not specified in the Korean survey data, previous research suggests that switching from driving to active transportation, such as cycling or walking, can have a positive impact on mental health. A study conducted in the UK in 2018, which included nearly 4,500 participants, found that active transport was associated with improved mental well-being.
It is crucial to recognize that long commutes are not entirely devoid of benefits. Some commuters report using their long journeys home as a time to “switch off” and detach from work, which can have psychological advantages. However, it is worth noting that the Korean survey took place before the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly altered the way we work. While working from home became more common, not everyone has the privilege of doing so.
The researchers highlight that the association between long commuting times and worsened depressive symptoms was stronger among low-income workers. They also note that the shift to working from home has been more rapid among white-collar and high-income workers compared to those with lower incomes. Therefore, improving transportation infrastructure and reducing travel time and distance could create a better commuting environment and potentially improve overall mental health.
Long commutes can have a significant impact on mental health, as evidenced by a study conducted among South Korean commuters. The findings highlight a correlation between longer commutes and an increased likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms. These effects were observed among both men and women, with certain demographic characteristics exacerbating the negative impact.
While individual factors and limitations of the study should be considered, it is clear that addressing the issue of long commutes and its associated health risks is important. By implementing effective transportation solutions and creating opportunities for active transportation, we can potentially improve the well-being of commuters and reduce the burden of mental health issues related to lengthy daily journeys.
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