Insight into the nonlinear effect of COVID-19 on well-being in China: Commuting, a vital ingredient. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dong, Yinan; Sun, Yilin; Waygood, E. Owen D.; Wang, Bobin; Huang, Pei; Naseri, Hamed
• Is Part Of: Journal of transport & health. Volume 27(2023)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Well-being -- Commuting behavior -- Social interaction -- Machine learning; Transportation -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Noise, Transportation -- Periodicals; Air Pollutants -- Periodicals; 388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2022.101526
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-1405

Abstract

Abstract: Background: COVID-19 had a devastating impact on people's work, travel, and well-being worldwide. As one of the first countries to be affected by the virus and develop relatively well-executed pandemic control, China has witnessed a significant shift in people's well-being and habits, related to both commuting and social interaction. In this context, what factors and the extent to which they contribute to well-being are worth exploring. Methods: Through a questionnaire survey within mainland China, 688 valid sheets were collected, capturing various aspects of individuals' life, including travel, and social status. Focusing on commuting and other factors, a Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) model was developed based on 300 sheets reporting working trips, to analyze the effects on well-being. Two indicators, i.e., the Relative Importance (RI) and Partial Dependency Plot (PDP), were used to quantify and visualize the effects of the explanatory factors and the synergy among them. Results: Commuting characteristics are the most critical ingredients, followed by social interactions to explain subjective well-being. Commuting stress poses the most substantial effect. Less stressful commuting trips can solidly improve overall well-being. Better life satisfaction is linked with shorter confinement periods and increased restriction levels. Meanwhile, the switch from in-person to online social interactions had less impact on young people's life satisfaction. Older people were unsatisfied with this change, which had a significant negative impact on their life satisfaction. Conclusions: From the synergy of commuting stress and commuting time on well-being, the effect of commuting time on well-being is mediated by commuting stress in the case of China. Even if one is satisfied with online communication, the extent of enhancement on well-being is minimal, for it still cannot replace face-to-face interaction. The findings can be beneficial in improving the overall well-being of society during the pandemic and after the virus has been eradicated. Highlights: Mobility of commuters through the pandemic is explored. Pandemic led to a decrease in public transportation usage and an increase in non-motorized and car travel. Stress and satisfaction with commuting are strongly correlated with well-being. Commute time's effect on well-being is mediated by stress during the trip.