Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2005 Mar;17(1):36-43.

Increasing Risk of Mental Health Problems Among Subway Drivers Experiencing Accidents on the Track

• Woo JM
• Kang TY
• Lee JE

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study examined the prevalence of Post traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) and the comorbidity with panic disorder in subway drivers who experienced accidents on the track. In addition, this study examined the differences in panic disorder, stress levels, work-related problems, and sleep disturbances between drivers with and without an accident-experience.
METHODS
628 Seoul metropolitan subway drivers were participated in this study. We assessed mental health status of the subjects using the Clinician-administered PTSD scale (CAPS), panic disorder scale based on the DSM-IV criteria, Worker's Stress Response Inventory, and Sleep Questionnaire.
RESULTS
The prevalence of PTSD and comorbid panic disorder was significantly higher among those drivers who had experienced accidents than in those who had not. Drivers with an accident experience showed significantly higher somatic, depressive, anger symptoms in the stress measures, and more sleep problems than those drivers without an accident experience.
CONCLUSIONS
The experience of an accident on the track threatens both the work efficiency and the mental health of drivers. In order to reduce the negative effect of an extremely stressful event related to accidents, intervention programs for PTSD and panic disorder need to be developed and utilized.

Keyword

Subway drivers; PTSD; Panic disorder; Stress; Sleep

MeSH Terms

Anger
Comorbidity
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Life Change Events
Mental Health*
Panic Disorder
Prevalence
Questionnaires
Railroads*
Seoul
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic