Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Commute Type and Academic Stress among South Korean Undergraduate Students -Sustainable Transport and Academic Environments-

한국 대학생의 통학방법과 학업 스트레스 사이의 연관성 -지속가능한 교통과 학업 환경-

  • Ji Won Kim (School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University College of Health Science) ;
  • Yujeong Jin (School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University College of Health Science) ;
  • Yun-Hee Choi (School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University College of Health Science) ;
  • Habyeong Kang (School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University College of Health Science) ;
  • Hyunsoo Kim (School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University College of Health Science) ;
  • Wonhee Jo (School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University College of Health Science) ;
  • Seongeun Choi (School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University College of Health Science) ;
  • Wonho Choi (School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University College of Health Science) ;
  • Yoon-Hyeong Choi (School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University College of Health Science)
  • 김지원 (고려대학교 보건과학대학 보건환경융합과학부) ;
  • 진유정 (고려대학교 보건과학대학 보건환경융합과학부) ;
  • 최윤희 (고려대학교 보건과학대학 보건환경융합과학부) ;
  • 강하병 (고려대학교 보건과학대학 보건환경융합과학부) ;
  • 김현수 (고려대학교 보건과학대학 보건환경융합과학부) ;
  • 조원희 (고려대학교 보건과학대학 보건환경융합과학부) ;
  • 최성은 (고려대학교 보건과학대학 보건환경융합과학부) ;
  • 최원호 (고려대학교 보건과학대학 보건환경융합과학부) ;
  • 최윤형 (고려대학교 보건과학대학 보건환경융합과학부)
  • Received : 2024.04.09
  • Accepted : 2024.04.25
  • Published : 2024.04.30
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Abstract

Background: Several previous studies have shown that commuting is a source of stress for undergraduate students. However, few studies have investigated the effect of commuting on academic stress among undergraduate students, and there has been little awareness of the environmental impact of commuting. Objectives: To evaluate the associations between commute type and/or time and academic stress among undergraduate students in South Korea, focusing on environmental sustainability. Methods: We conducted an online survey and obtained information on commute types, commute times, and academic stress from 510 undergraduate students aged ≥19 years. Academic stress was comprised of five sub-categories of stress, and total academic stress ranged from 5 to 25 points. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the associations between commute type and commute time and academic stress. Furthermore, the students were grouped into 21 categories based on their transportation mode for commuting. CO2 emission factors per each commuting category were calculated using the transportation type's CO2 emission data from previous studies. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to confirm the correlation between CO2 emission factors and total academic stress. Results: Students using home-to-school transportation without transfers (vs. walking) showed a significantly higher total academic stress of 2.19 points (95% CI: 0.58, 3.80). In contrast, students using school-to-home transportation without transfers (vs. walking) showed a significantly lower total academic stress of 1.96 points (95% CI: -3.55, -0.38). Moreover, students using transportation with lower CO2 emission factors had lower academic stress scores (home-to-school: correlation coefficient = 0.507, p<0.001; school-to-home: correlation coefficient = 0.491, p<0.001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that both commute type and time are significantly associated with academic stress among South Korean undergraduate students. When students select environmentally-friendly transportation, they may not only improve their mental health but also improve climate resilience.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구의 '한국 대학생들의 통학과 학업 스트레스'에 대한 정보 수집을 위해 온라인 설문 조사에 참여해주신 대학생들에게 감사의 인사를 드립니다.

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