Commuting Stress

Several people have asked what motivated us to write a book about commut ing, something that we all do but over which we have very little control. As a matter of fact, the general reaction from professional colleagues and friends alike was first a sort of knowing smile followed by some story. Everyone has a story about a personal commuting experience. Whether it was a problem with a delayed bus, a late arrival, broken-down automobiles, hot trains or subways, during the past year we have heard it all. Many of these stories must be apocryphal because, if they were all true, it is amazing that anyone ever arrived at work on time, at home, or at some other destination. The interest for us likely stems from many factors that over the years have probably influenced our thinking. All of the authors studied and/or grew up in the New York City metropolitan area. For illustration, let's devote a few paragraphs to describing some of the senior author's (Koslowsky's) life experiences. As a young man in New York City, he was a constant user of the New York City subway system. The whole network was and still is quite impressive. For a relatively small sum, one can spend the whole day and night in an underground world (growing up in New York often makes one think that the whole world is contained in its five boroughs).

Texte du rabat

This singular book describes various aspects of the commuting experience and delineates a process linking causes and consequences of commuting stress. The authors quote extensive survey data from metropolitan areas and examine literature on the known psychological, physiological, attitudinal, and behavioral consequences of commuting. They then provide a model integrating these variables. This comprehensive text features specific coping recommendations at the individual, governmental, and organizational levels.

Contenu

1. The Commuting Experience.- 2. Travel and Mobility.- 3. Environmental Factors and Commuting Stress.- 4. Commuting and Physical Symptoms.- 5. Behavioral, Emotional, and Attitudinal Effects of Commuting.- 6. Theory and Model Development.- 7. Individual Coping Strategies.- 8. Government and Organization Coping Methods.- 9. Methodological Issues in Commuting Research.- References.