The relation of age, work ability index and stress-inducing factors among bus drivers

In this study the relation of subjective stressors and work ability index ( WAI) and age was analysed. We investigated, whether subjective stressors an d stress symptoms correlated higher with WAI or with age. The study populat ion consisted of bus drivers from one public transport system (n = 369). Wo rk ability was tested by the WAI, stressors with structured questions, and stress symptoms with the Occupational Stress Questionnaire. The relation of stressors, WAI, and age was analysed by correlation coefficients and varia nce analysis. The correlation of WAI and age in this population was low. Th e correlation between stressors, stress symptoms and WAI was higher than th at expected for this age. Subjective stressors and stress symptoms are stro ngly related to WAI. The WAI proved to be a good screening instrument for s tress experience. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.