Occupational stressors and the mental health of truckers.
Trucking has been classified as one of the highest-risk occupations in the United States. Occupational stress is even greater for long-haul truckers who are away from home, family, friends, and other support networks for several days or weeks at a time. Occupational stressors and the mental health of truckers was studied using data collected as part of a large multisite ethno-epidemiological study of trucker networks. Findings from the current study show that truckers face many occupational stressors including constant time pressures, social isolation, disrespectful treatment from others, driving hazards such as weather changes, traffic, and road conditions, and violence or fear of violence. Facing such stressors may be a factor in the prevalence of risky behaviors including drug use and paying for sex. Therefore, mental health promotion and treatment for truckers is an important area of concern and must be examined within the broader context of the transportation environment.
Shattell
Mona
M
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, School of Nursing, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402, USA. mona shattell@uncg.edu
Apostolopoulos
Yorghos
Y
Sönmez
Sevil
S
Griffin
Mary
M
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D011477:Sex Work / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D014186:Transportation; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology