Journal Article

It Comes With the Job

Allan, Matthew, Trigg, Joshua, Naweed, Anjum, Chapman, Janine

2017

Overview

OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to examine the impacts of key barriers to improving the occupational health status of Australian train drivers. METHODS:From May to June, 2015, five semi-structured qualitative focus groups were conducted with 29 train drivers from South Australian, Victorian, and New South Wales-based rail organizations in Australia. RESULTS:Occupational health was impeded by multiple barriers regarding sleep (patterns/fatigue), diet (planning/context), mental health (occupational stress), rostering (low autonomy), sedentary time, low fitness motivation, and family/social life conflicts. Work organizational barriers included communication issues, low organizational support, and existing social norms. Job design barriers included rostering, fatigue, stimulant reliance, and family/social life imbalances. Self-regulatory barriers included dietary and exercise patterns habits and patterns. CONCLUSIONS:Occupational health interventions for Australian train drivers must address work organizational, job design, and self-regulatory barriers to healthier lifestyle behaviors.

• Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a business of Wolters Kluwer Health,Copyright by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
• Subject: Adult / Aged / Attitude to Health / Australia / Communication / Design / Diet / Exercise / Fatigue / Fatigue - etiology / Female / Focus Groups / Health Behavior / Health promotion / Health Status / Healthy Lifestyle / Humans / Intervention / Job design / Lifestyles / Male / Middle Aged / Occupational Health / Occupational stress / Occupational Stress - etiology / Organizational Culture / Original Article / Professional Autonomy / Railroads / Shift Work Schedule / Sleep / Work-Life Balance / Workplace - organization & administration / Young Adult