The Mediating Role of Musculoskeletal System Disorders in the Relationship between Burnout and Driver Behaviors in Professional Drivers

Abstract

The literature suggests that burnout and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in professional drivers contribute to increased accident risk and aberrant driving behaviors by impairing attention, weakening decision-making abilities, and prolonging reaction times. However, while some models emphasize that burnout may influence the development of MSDs, they have not sufficiently examined the effects of these factors on behavioral outcomes among professional drivers. This cross-sectional and descriptive study aims to evaluate the relationship between burnout and aberrant driving behaviors in professional drivers and the mediating role of MSDs in this relationship. The sample consisted of 147 professional drivers. Data were collected using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, the Driver Behavior Questionnaire, and a Demographic Information Form. Relationships between variables were assessed using Pearson correlation analysis, while mediation analyses (Model 4) were conducted to examine the indirect effects of MSDs on the relationship between burnout and aberrant driving behaviors, including age and driving experience as covariates. The findings revealed that burnout positively correlated with errors, while MSDs were positively correlated with errors and lapses. Furthermore, MSDs were found to significantly mediate the relationship between burnout and errors and lapses. These results underscore the importance of individual characteristics, organizational conditions, and health indicators within the complex network of factors influencing aberrant driving behaviors and contribute to the broader theoretical framework for promoting traffic safety.