The association between commuting, mood and job performance: the structural equation modelling approach

Abstract

Commuting demands a considerable amount of time from a worker’s daytime. Numerous studies have shown the relationship between commuting and mood, and even job performance. Contradictory findings are also present in the literature regarding the association between commuting, mood and job performance. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to examine the association between commuting, negative upon arrival at work and individual job performance, given the special focus on the mediating role of negative mood. Two hundred and twenty-six participants were recruited via snowball sampling. Participants were asked to answer questions about commute duration and distance, to rate their mood upon arrival at work and to fill in the individual work performance questionnaire. Results showed that commute duration and distance was associated with job performance through mood upon arrival at work. It is believed that this study provides valuable information regarding the mediating role of mood upon arrival at work.

Keywords:

• commute distance
• commute duration
• negative mood
• individual job performance
• structural equation modelling

Acknowledgements

This study was partially presented at the XVI European Congress of Psychology at July 2–5, 2019 in Moskow, Russia.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.