Psychosocial factors, Perceived Well-Being, and Safety Incidents among Long-Distance Commercial Drivers in Ghaha

Abstract

This study aimed at exploring the levels of psychosocial hazards and the paths through which these factors predict perceived psychological well-being and safety incidents of long-distance bus drivers. A quantitative survey design was used to purposively and conveniently select 7,315 long-distance bus drivers who commute 140 km from Accra and Tema to other parts of the country and the neighbouring countries. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Kruskal Wallis H test, confirmatory composite analysis, and path analysis using partial least square structural equation modelling were used for data analysis. The results indicated high levels of psychosocial hazards (long driving hours, high job demand, low job resources, work-family conflict, lone driving, job insecurity and poor psychosocial safety climate) among long-distance bus drivers. Also, drivers who drive more than 41 hours a week were more likely to report high safety incidents. High driving-hour intensity was observed among drivers whose buses are individually owned. Job demand, job resources and psychosocial safety climate are significant direct predictors of perceived psychological well-being and safety incidents. Perceived psychological well-being partially mediated the effect of job demands and resources on safety incidents. Psychosocial safety climate also buffered the effect of job demands and resources on psychological well-being and the effect of psychological well-being on safety incidents. Efforts are needed to manage the psychosocial work factors of long-distance bus drivers and there should be a strict enforcement and integration of occupational health and safety standards in the road transport industry in Ghana.