Stressors and Stress Mitigation for Occupational Road Freight Drivers: A Focus Group Study

Abstract

European occupational road freight drivers face difficulties such as traffic jams, deadlines and demanding customers during their job. Therefore, they often suffer from stress, a problem that may worsen as traffic increases. Europe has a severe driver shortage, so insight into the issues of occupational drivers is needed to improve their working conditions. Through two online focus group discussions with eleven occupational drivers, this study gathered data on stressors and strategies against stress. The data was analysed through thematic analysis, revealing four different stressor types: stressors related to company operations (e.g. dispatching issues), job tasks (e.g. time-related stressors), client-related factors (e.g. disrespect from the client), and non-work-related stressors (e.g. an ill partner). Strategies against stress include coping strategies (e.g. social contact) and solutions such as an improved attitude towards freight drivers, improved communication between drivers and other parties, better equipment and facilities and changes to the law. The insights of this study about occupational driver stressors could be used for e.g. intervention development.