The Effects of Public Transportation Use on Occupational Balance, Stress, and Fatigue in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of time spent and travel experiences during public transportation on fatigue, perceived stress, insomnia severity, and occupational balance among young adults living in Istanbul, Turkish. Method: This study was designed as a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected via an online survey between October 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025. The sample consisted of healthy individuals aged 20-30 residing in Istanbul, recruited through snowball and convenience sampling methods. Individuals who had traveled abroad in the past month, had physical limitations, or were diagnosed with major depression or anxiety were excluded. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ-11), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Turkish version of the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ11-T). A total of 150 participants were included in the analysis. Results: The majority of participants evaluated public transportation negatively. Environmental factors such as noise and vibration were significantly associated with higher levels of fatigue and insomnia severity. Participants engaging in cognitively or socially interactive activities during commuting demonstrated higher occupational balance scores compared to those who listened to music or podcasts. Additionally, individuals using multiple modes of public transportation reported elevated levels of physical fatigue and perceived stress. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the quality of public transportation experiences, rather than the duration alone, plays a critical role in determining physical and psychological well being, as well as occupational balance, among young adults.