Factori de risc pentru sănătatea mintală la lucrătorii din domeniul transporturilor

Introduction

Transport workers operate in environments characterized by continuous cognitive demand, irregular schedules and frequent exposure to unpredictable traffic conditions and interpersonal interactions. Professional drivers – whether in public transport, freight logistics or in other transport services – are exposed daily to a combination of operational pressures and psychosocial stressors that may compromise mental well-being⁽⁴⁾. Long shifts, pressure to maintain vigilance and limited opportunities for rest contribute to emotional exhaustion and reduced psychological resilience.

International research consistently reports elevated levels of stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms and burnout in this workforce⁽²⁾. In addition, repeated exposure to near-miss incidents, traffic-related conflicts and potentially traumatic events has been associated with intrusive thoughts, heightened physiological arousal and emotional numbing⁽¹¹⁾. These cumulative stressors not only affect individual well-being, but also pose broader risks for public safety, given the central role of alertness and cognitive control in driving performance.

Recent policy documents emphasize that psychosocial risk factors should be addressed alongside traditional occupational hazards in transport settings^(8,9). However, despite growing awareness, mental health remains an underrecognized component of occupational safety management in many transport systems.

This review aims to synthesize current evidence on occupational, psychosocial and individual determinants of mental health among transport workers, highlighting mechanisms of risk and implications for safety and organizational policy.

Materials and method

This narrative review integrates evidence from peer‑reviewed research and occupational health reports related to mental health among transport workers. The literature was collected from PubMed, Google Scholar and institutional publications using search terms associated with occupational stress, transport psychology, sleep disruption, fatigue, trauma exposure and safety performance. Studies published between 2014 and 2025, including observational designs, systematic reviews and health agency reports, were included. The information was synthesized conceptually to identify mechanisms linking job conditions with mental health outcomes. As a narrative review, this study does not require ethics committee approval.

Results

The reviewed literature revealed multiple, interacting categories of risk factors contributing to mental health difficulties among transport workers.

1. Occupational scheduling, long hours and fatigue

The literature suggests that excessive shift duration, unpredictability of work schedules and time pressure contribute significantly to psychological stress and emotional exhaustion among transport workers^(1,5). Long working hours and inadequate recovery time were associated with cumulative fatigue, emotional depletion and reduced cognitive flexibility.

Several studies highlighted that drivers frequently experience “time pressure fatigue”, a state in which operational demands surpass cognitive resources, impairing self-regulation and stress tolerance⁽⁷⁾. Workers exposed to rotating shifts or night schedules reported significantly higher rates of irritability, reduced stress resilience and feelings of depersonalization, indicating early burnout trajectories.

2. Sleep disruption and neurocognitive impairment

Sleep-wake dysregulation emerged as a central mechanism contributing to mental health vulnerability. Drivers working night shifts or alternating schedules exhibited reduced sleep quality, shortened total sleep time and increased daytime sleepiness⁽¹⁰⁾.

These disruptions were strongly associated with impairments in sustained attention, slower reaction times, decreased working memory performance and reduced ability to process dynamic visual information – abilities essential for safe driving⁽³⁾. Cumulative sleep debt also contributed to emotional dysregulation, heightened anxiety and to an increased susceptibility to depressive symptoms.

3. Psychosocial stressors and interpersonal strain

Transport workers face considerable psychosocial challenges, including passenger-related conflicts, exposure to verbal aggression and chronic vigilance in unpredictable traffic conditions⁽⁴⁾. Drivers reporting frequent conflict situations showed more symptoms consistent with anxiety and hyperarousal.

Social isolation is another key factor, especially among long-haul or freelance drivers who spend extended periods away from family or support networks⁽¹⁾. In addition, exposure to near-miss events or traumatic road incidents – while often underreported – was linked to increased rates of intrusive thoughts and trauma-informed symptoms⁽¹¹⁾.

4. Physical health interactions and safety outcomes

A growing body of research highlights the interplay between psychological strain and physical health conditions. Chronic fatigue and stress were closely linked to musculoskeletal discomfort, hypertension, metabolic disturbances and gastrointestinal complaints⁽⁶⁾.

These physical comorbidities contributed indirectly to reduced psychological well-being and increased absenteeism. Both psychological distress and physical fatigue were strongly associated with impaired safety performance, including higher rates of near-miss incidents, slower hazard detection and an increased risk of unintentional violations⁽¹²⁾.

Discussion

The evidence suggests that mental health difficulties among transport workers arise from the interaction of job-related demands, individual vulnerability factors and social determinants. Findings across studies were consistent, although the methodological heterogeneity limits the direct comparison.

Interventions targeting organizational scheduling, access to mental health support services, fatigue management programs and training in stress-coping strategies appear promising^(8,9). Improving work conditions and implementing supportive policies may enhance safety, reduce burnout and strengthen psychological resilience across transport sectors.

Conclusions

Transport workers represent a professional group with increased vulnerability to mental health difficulties due to prolonged exposure to occupational stressors, irregular work schedules, sleep deprivation and persistent psychosocial pressures. The evidence synthesized in this review indicates that chronic stress, cumulative fatigue and circadian rhythm disruptions constitute central mechanisms through which working conditions affect the psychological functioning and the cognitive performance among professional drivers.

A first major conclusion is that mental health among transport workers cannot be understood independently of work organization. Excessive shift duration, lack of schedule predictability and insufficient recovery time between duties contribute to emotional exhaustion, reduced stress tolerance and the emergence of anxiety and depressive symptoms. These effects reflect structural shortcomings in workforce management policies and highlight the need for systemic – rather than solely individual – interventions.

A second important conclusion concerns the role of sleep disturbances as a transversal risk factor. Chronic sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality amplify emotional vulnerability, reduce stress regulation capacity and impair essential cognitive processes required for safe driving. In this regard, sleep disorders should be viewed both as a consequence of adverse occupational conditions and as a mediator of the relationship between professional stress and mental health decline.

A third conclusion refers to the impact of psychosocial stressors and exposure to potentially traumatic events. Passenger-related conflicts, verbal aggression, social isolation and repeated exposure to road incidents or near-miss situations contribute to symptoms of hyperarousal, irritability and intrusive cognitions. Although often underreported, these manifestations may evolve into persistent psychological distress in the absence of adequate organizational support mechanisms.

A fourth conclusion emphasizes the interdependence between mental health and road safety. Psychological distress and physical fatigue are associated with reduced vigilance, impaired judgment and with an increased likelihood of incidents and safety violations. Consequently, investments in the psychological well-being of transport workers should be regarded not only as social protection measures but also as strategic interventions for enhancing public safety outcomes.

Finally, this review highlights the necessity of integrated occupational policies that include routine screening for sleep disorders and emotional distress, fatigue management programs, accessible psychological counseling services and training in adaptive coping strategies. Future research directions should prioritize longitudinal designs and intervention outcome evaluations in order to establish evidence-based, sustainable mental health promotion strategies within the transport sector. 

Acknowledgements: The authors express their gratitude to the academic mentors and colleagues who contributed to the development of the conceptual framework presented in this review.