Psychological empowerment among women commuters in Metro Manila, Philippines: perceived transit risks, attitudes, and self-protective strategies

This study examines the factors that influence psychological empowerment in relation to transport and mobility among women commuters in Metro Manila, Philippines. It assumes that the perception of transit risks influences psychological empowerment. In addition, it also hypothesizes that attitudes toward public transportation and the presence of self-protective strategies affect psychological empowerment. Data was gathered through an online survey involving 426 Metro Manila women commuters recruited through FB advertisement and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, specifically Pearson R and Multiple linear regression. Results of the study show that the women commuters perceive themselves to be at risk of mobility- or transportation-related crimes. The overall mean of the attitudes toward public transportation scale indicates a moderate positive attitude. The respondents manifested negative attitudes toward transport saving time, safety issues, and relaxation (absence of comfort). Pearson R correlation suggests that psychological empowerment positively correlates to the perception of transit risks and attitudes toward public transportation. Multiple linear regression analysis reveals that perceived risk and attitude toward public transportation positively predict psychological empowerment, while measures for self-protection negatively predict psychological empowerment. This study’s contribution rests on applying the concept of psychological empowerment in the mobility and transit context.