Transactions on Transport Sciences 2013, 6(4):185-192 | DOI: 10.2478/v10158-012-0046-8

Alexithymia and the Perception of Stress of Public Transport Drivers

L. Winklerová*, K. Paráková
Transport Research Centre, Brno, Czech Republic

The objective of the research was description of the factors of psychological stress of Czech drivers in association with an occurrence of alexithymia and with the number of accidents. Psychological stress, occurrence of alexithymia and the number of accidents were indicated in a questionnaire. The sample consisted of 611 public transport drivers from the Czech Republic. Alexithymia was assessed by a 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale questionnaire. The level of stress was assessed by a questionnaire Stress of Public Transport Drivers. The occurrence of psycho-pathological symptoms was assessed by The Symptom Checklist-90. The drivers have shown only a low level of stress which did not differ by the vehicle type. Alexithymia occurred with 1/3 of the drivers. The association of alexithymia and the perceived stress was confirmed; the association of alexithymia and stress and the number of accidents was not confirmed. Contrary to the expectation, the drivers showed a low level of stress. The interaction with passengers was revealed as the most significant stressor. In accordance with our expectation and prior studies, alexithymia highly correlated with the problems in the relationship with other people.

Keywords: Alexithymia, work stress, public transport drivers.

Published: December 1, 2013  Show citation

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Winklerová, L., & Paráková, K. (2013). Alexithymia and the Perception of Stress of Public Transport Drivers. Transactions on Transport Sciences, 6(4), 185-192. doi: 10.2478/v10158-012-0046-8
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