Constraints to travel outside the local area: Effect on social participation and self-rated health. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anciaes, Paulo; Metcalfe, Paul
• Is Part Of: Journal of transport & health. Volume 28(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: Travel -- Medium-distance travel -- Long-distance travel -- Travel behaviour -- Travel constraints -- Travel satisfaction -- Transport disadvantage -- Social participation -- Social contacts -- Health -- Self-rated health -- Path analysis; Transportation -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Noise, Transportation -- Periodicals; Air Pollutants -- Periodicals; 388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2022.101535
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-1405

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Travel outside the local area allows people to meet others and access a wide selection of services and opportunities. However, travel can be constrained by the lack of good transport or by personal factors. This paper investigates whether these constraints are associated with poor self-rated health, and the extent to which the association is mediated by reduced social participation. Method: Respondents in a survey in the North of England (n = 2747) stated levels of constraints to trip frequency, number of places visited, travel distance, and travel mode for trips more than 15 miles (24 km) away from home. Path analysis tested associations between these constraints, indicators of social participation (seeing family and friends frequently and being a member of clubs or societies), and self-rated health. Results: Constraints to the number of places visited were associated with self-rated health via reduced social participation. Constraints to trip frequency had a negative association with self-rated health via pathways other than social participation. Constraints to travel distance were not significant and constraints to car use and public transport use were associated with self-rated health via other constraints. The results varied by age group and were robust to changes in variable specification and treatment of missing data. Conclusions: The results confirm the importance of being able to travel outside the local area for social participation and health and emphasize the need for public policies that reduce constraints to travel, by providing better conditions for the use of both private and public transport and for the realization of more frequent trips to a wider set of places. Highlights: Evidence on associations between constraints to travel outside local area, social participation, and self-rated health. Constraints to number of places visited associated with poorer self-rated health, via less social participation. Constraints to trip frequency associated with poorer self-rated health, via other pathways. No significant association between constraints to travel distance and self-rated health. Constraints to use of specific modes associated with poorer self-rated health via constraints on places visited and trip frequency. More significant associations in the 55+ age group.