Hassles on the job: a study of a job intervention with urban bus drivers

Abstract

Epidemiological, psychophysiological and survey data all converge on the conclusion that driving a bus in an urban area is extremely stressful, posing serious health risks. We show that reductions in job hassles while operating buses largely account for the salutary effects of a job environment intervention designed to lessen traffic congestion, diminish passenger demands on drivers, and generally ease bus operation. This study also makes methodological contributions to the stress and health literature. Independent observers' assessments of changes in job hassles caused by a field intervention predict, in a longitudinal design, multimethodological markers of stress including blood pressure, heart rate, and a standardized self-report index of stress. The value of utilizing job re-design studies to more rigorously investigate stress and health is discussed. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.