Volume 1,
No. 1 Maret 2023 p-ISSN XXXX |
e-ISSN XXXX Volume 2,
No. 11 November 2024 p-ISSN 3032-3037
| e-ISSN 3031-5786
The Impact of Traffic Congestion on the Mental Health of Civil
Servants: A Case Study of Ministry of Transportation Employees in the Greater
Jakarta Area
Dani
Fitria Brilianti1, Abdul Rokhim2, Ahmad Basuki3
Politeknik Keselamatan Transportasi Jalan1,3, Politeknik
Perkeretaapian Indonesia2
Email: 1d_fiabrilianti@pktj.co.id, 2ochim@ppi.ac.id, 3basuki@pktj.ac.id
Abstract
This
study aims to investigate the psychological effects of prolonged traffic
congestion on civil servants working in the Ministry of Transportation in the
Greater Jakarta Area. As one of the most densely populated regions in
Indonesia, Greater Jakarta experiences severe daily traffic, which has the
potential to exacerbate mental health issues. The research employed a
quantitative approach through a structured survey distributed to 102
respondents. The respondents were classified into three categories of mental
health disorders: high, moderate, and low, based on validated psychological
scales. The results indicated that 51.20% of respondents experienced severe
mental health disorders, while 39.21% reported moderate disorders, and 8.82%
exhibited mild symptoms. Emotional regulation difficulties, anxiety, and mood
disturbances were significantly related to traffic exposure. The study
recommends implementing flexible work arrangements, improving public
transportation infrastructure, and providing mental health support programs to
mitigate the adverse effects of traffic congestion on civil servants. These
findings highlight the need for urgent policy interventions to promote the
well-being of public servants in urban settings, particularly those affected by
chronic congestion.
Keywords: traffic congestion, mental
health, civil servants, Greater Jakarta, mental disorders
Introduction
Traffic congestion is a persistent issue in urban
areas, particularly in developing countries like Indonesia. In the Greater
Jakarta Area, daily commuting has become a significant source of stress for the
workforce, particularly for Civil Servants (CS) in the Ministry of
Transportation. The psychological burden of enduring long hours in traffic can
exacerbate mental health issues, leading to increased stress and anxiety
levels. The Greater Jakarta Area is known for its severe traffic congestion,
with daily travel times often exceeding two hours. This situation not only
affects productivity but also poses substantial risks to mental health. Civil
servants, who are tasked with public service and governance, face unique
challenges due to their work environment and responsibilities. This study aims
to explore how traffic congestion impacts the mental health of civil servants,
focusing on emotional regulation, mood disturbances, and aggressive tendencies.
Additionally, it investigates gender differences in experiencing these effects,
providing a comprehensive view of the psychological toll of urban congestion.
Traffic congestion has been widely studied for its
economic and social impacts. However, its psychological consequences are
equally significant. Research shows that prolonged exposure to traffic stress
can lead to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and
aggression.
Studies in various cities, such as Los Angeles and Tokyo,
indicate a direct correlation between traffic congestion and increased stress
levels among commuters (Smith, A., Johnson, R.,
& Williams, 2019) ; (Davies et al., 2023). These findings suggest that urban planning
must consider mental health as a key factor. In Indonesia, limited research has
focused on the psychological effects of traffic congestion. A study by (Hidayah, N., Surya, I.,
& Kurniawan, 2021) found that urban congestion in Jakarta
significantly contributes to stress and decreased quality of life among
residents. Research indicates that men and women may experience and cope with
stress differently (Kumar, R., & Singh,
2022). This study aims to explore these gender differences
further within the context of traffic congestion.
Research Methods
This study employs a quantitative research
design utilizing survey methods to collect data from civil servants in the
Ministry of Transportation. A total of 102 respondents were selected using
simple random sampling techniques. The sample comprised 67.6% male and 32.4%
female civil servants. The research instrument consisted of a structured
questionnaire, including validated scales for measuring mental health
disorders, emotional regulation, mood disturbances, and aggressive tendencies.
Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency
distributions and percentages, to examine the relationship between traffic
congestion and mental health. Respondents were classified into three levels of
mental health disorders: high, moderate, and low, based on a validated scale.
Data analysis was conducted using frequency distribution and percentages to
describe the impact of traffic congestion on civil servants' mental health.
Results and Discussion
The study's findings show that most
civil servants in the Greater Jakarta Area experience mental health issues due
to traffic congestion illustrated on these pie diagram:
1.
Levels
of Mental Health Disorders
a.
High
category: 53 respondents (51.20%)
b.
Moderate
category: 40 respondents (39.21%)
c.
Low
category: 9 respondents (8.82%)
2. Respondents by Gender
a.
Male:
67.6%
b.
Female:
32.4%
Furthermore, the interview results
indicate that traffic congestion significantly impacts the mental health of
respondents, particularly in terms of emotional regulation, mood disturbances,
and aggressive behavior. Among the 102 respondents,
the majority experienced notable difficulties in managing their emotions while
stuck in traffic.
3.
Difficulty
in Emotional Regulation
The data reveal that 90 respondents
(87.25%) reported difficulties controlling their emotions when facing
congestion. This indicates that traffic congestion is not merely a physical
problem but also an emotional one that affects mental well-being. Such
difficulties can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, and heightened
anxiety, which may disrupt work productivity and social interactions
outside of traffic situations.
4.
Unpleasant
Mood
The findings also show
that 89 respondents (87.25%) felt uncomfortable, with some reporting feelings
of fear and anxiety while stuck in traffic. This discomfort may stem from a
loss of control over the situation often encountered on the road. This
condition has the potential to trigger more serious psychological disturbances
if not properly addressed.
5.
Anxiety
and Worry
82 respondents (80.39%) reported
significant issues of anxiety and worry. This anxiety could be attributed to
various factors, including uncertainty regarding arrival times at destinations
and the impact of congestion on job responsibilities. Such feelings can affect people's
thinking and decision-making processes, negatively impacting professional
performance.
6.
Aggressive
Behaviour and Anger
More than half of the
respondents (63.72%) reported a tendency to become easily angry when caught in
congestion. Aggressive or destructive actions were noted by 34.31% of respondents.
This suggests that congestion can trigger non-constructive behaviours, both
toward themselves and others. Such aggressive actions not only pose risks to
safety on the road but can also worsen interpersonal relationships at work and
in social environments.
7.
Implications
for Mental Health
Overall, the interview results
demonstrate that the impact of traffic congestion on the mental health of civil
servants in the Ministry of Transportation is significant. The high levels of
difficulty in emotional regulation and tendencies toward aggressive behaviour may indicate a greater risk for long-term mental
health disorders. This highlights the urgent need for attention from relevant
parties to implement programs that can support the mental well-being of civil
servants
Discussion
The findings of this study
underline the significant psychological impact of traffic congestion on civil
servants in the Greater Jakarta Area. Over half of the respondents reported
severe mental health disorders, reinforcing the link between urban congestion
and psychological distress explained below:
a. Emotional Regulation
The high percentage of
respondents struggling with emotional regulation suggests that traffic
congestion acts as a chronic stressor, diminishing their ability to cope with everyday
challenges.
b. Mood and Aggression
The prevalence of mood
disturbances and aggressive tendencies highlights the urgent need for
interventions to address mental health within this demographic. The
psychological strain of traffic congestion can lead to increased tensions in
the workplace and decreased quality of public service.
c. Gender Dynamics
While the study did not find
significant differences between genders in mental health outcomes, future
research should explore these nuances more deeply, as previous studies suggest
that coping mechanisms may vary significantly across genders.
Conclusion
This study concludes that traffic
congestion in the Greater Jakarta Area negatively impacts the mental health of
civil servants in the Ministry of Transportation. Most respondents experience
moderate to high levels of mental disorders, with key symptoms including
difficulties in emotional regulation, anxiety, and mood disturbances.
Therefore, intervention from the
government and relevant institutions is needed to address this issue, such as
through the implementation of flexible work policies, improved traffic
infrastructure, and mental health support programs for civil servants.
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Copyright holder: Dani Fitria Brilianti1, Abdul Rokhim2,
Ahmad Basuki3 (2024) |
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First publication right: Advances in Social Humanities Research |
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