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Risk Factors for Depressive Symptoms in Long-Haul Truck Drivers

Author

Listed:
  • Alexander M. Crizzle

    (School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4, Canada)

  • Maeve McLean

    (School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4, Canada)

  • Jennifer Malkin

    (School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4, Canada)

Abstract

Work-related stress is a salient risk factor for depression. While long-haul truck drivers (LHTDs) face a myriad of occupational pressures and demands, little research has examined predictors of depressive symptoms in this occupational group. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of depressive symptoms in LHTDs. A cross-sectional study was used to examine depressive symptoms, health and working conditions in a sample of 107 LHTDs (mean age of 50.7 ± 12.3; 95.6% were men) at truck stops from five Western Canadian cities. The findings show that 44% of LHTDs reported symptoms of depression in the past 12 months. Severe work-related stress, the use of psychiatric medications and broken sleep were significant predictors of depressive symptomology accounting for 41% of the variance. The findings suggest that LHTDs experience a host of occupational stressors that are embedded within the transportation industry that may increase the risk for depressive symptoms. Mental health promotion efforts that improve sleep quality, decrease work-related demands and pressures, and increase the use of psychiatric medication may reduce rates of depressive symptoms among LHTDs.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander M. Crizzle & Maeve McLean & Jennifer Malkin, 2020. "Risk Factors for Depressive Symptoms in Long-Haul Truck Drivers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-8, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:3764-:d:363112
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jongmin Lee & Heejoo Park & Juyeon Oh & Juho Sim & Chorom Lee & Yangwook Kim & Byungyoon Yun & Jin-Ha Yoon, 2022. "The Association between Replacement Drivers and Depressive Symptoms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Quy Nguyen-Phuoc, Duy & An Ngoc Nguyen, Nguyen & Nguyen, Minh Hieu & Ngoc Thi Nguyen, Ly & Oviedo-Trespalacios, Oscar, 2022. "Factors influencing road safety compliance among food delivery riders: An extension of the job demands-resources (JD-R) model," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 541-556.
    3. Sebastjan Škerlič & Vanja Erčulj, 2021. "The Impact of Financial and Non-Financial Work Incentives on the Safety Behavior of Heavy Truck Drivers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Michael K. Lemke & Adam Hege & Alexander M. Crizzle, 2023. "An Agenda for Advancing Research and Prevention at the Nexus of Work Organization, Occupational Stress, and Mental Health and Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-12, May.
    5. Fernanda Lise & Mona Shattell & Raquel Pötter Garcia & Wilson Teixeira de Ávila & Flávia Lise Garcia & Eda Schwartz, 2024. "Health of Family Members of Road Transport Workers: Evaluation of Perceived Stress and Family Effectiveness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(10), pages 1-15, October.

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