News
Wednesday 18 April 2007
Study shares secrets to avoiding commuter hell
Whether gridlocked in traffic, crammed onto public transport in unbearable heat, or forced to sit next to someone with less than perfect personal hygiene, most of us have experienced downsides to our daily commute. But now a new study by the Psychology Division at Nottingham Trent University has revealed the secrets to avoiding commuter hell and making the journey a far more positive experience.
The nationwide study, being presented this week (April 18 - 20) at the 1st Applied Positive Psychology Conference, found that travellers used up to nine types of coping strategies to avoid becoming victims of commuting stress.
Effective methods included singing or talking to oneself, doing laptop work, reading, planning the day ahead or making plans for after work, and chewing gum. Talking to other commuters, admiring attractive commuters, and commuting outside the rush hour where possible, were also popular.
In contrast, some methods which had little success included venting anger at other commuters, smoking, or drinking alcohol on public transport.
The study, Resilience and Positive Coping as Protection from Commuting-Related Stressors and Strain, was carried out by researchers Dr Glenn Williams and Rowena Hill from the University’s School of Social Sciences.
It found those individuals with high levels of resilience to stress were most likely to overcome obstacles and have the inner-strength and flexibility to master their commuting environment. The study included car, bus, train, tube, bicycle and pedestrian commuters.
It’s not all good news though - about 14% of those who took part were found to have low levels of resilience and so using simple coping techniques was likely to have little effect.
The worst problems highlighted by commuters included insufficient room, loud music, delays to and from work, and bad odours. Others stated smelly foods, terror alerts, unreasonable employers, a lack of facilities for people with disabilities, and even being molested.
Dr Williams said: “Commuting stress is something most of us can relate to. It can affect people’s physical and psychological wellbeing and can lead to conflict at home and poor performance at work.”
Rowena Hill added: “However, despite the general perception that commuting has an array of negative aspects to it, there are many positives that can be taken from this experience. Commuters can use the time for rest and recreation, or as an alternative workspace. It is clear that many commuters employ the journey home from work as space to reflect positively on the day’s events and to prepare for home-related activities. Some commuting activities provide the scope for growing as a person and giving a sense of being in control of one’s life.”
ENDS
Notes for editors: The nine coping strategies identified were:
- Self-generated audio coping (sing/hum tune; talk to self)
- Planning (planning for day ahead; plans for after work)
- Cognitive work (laptop work; writing; commuting outside rush hour; reading)
- Emotion-focused coping (feel angry at commuters; admiring attractive commuters; make self emotionally numb)
- Psychological/medical support (counselling; medication)
- Other generated audio coping (audio book; music)
- Oral gratification (gum; talk on mobile; talk to other commuters; snack)
- Substance use (tobacco; alcohol)
- Religious/spiritual (meditate/pray; do nothing)
The 1st Applied Positive Psychology Conference is being held at the University of Warwick. It has been organised by the Centre for Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP).
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