Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Correlation between Traffic Noise and Mental Health Indices in Cities: An Ecological Study

교통 소음과 정신건강 지표 간의 상관성: 생태학적 연구

  • Sukyung Noh (Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Sang-Yong Eom (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University)
  • 노수경 (충북대학교 의과대학 의학과) ;
  • 엄상용 (충북대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Received : 2023.11.10
  • Accepted : 2023.12.04
  • Published : 2023.12.31
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Abstract

Background: Noise has been linked to an increased risk of various health issues, including stress, anxiety, insomnia, and cardiovascular disorders. However, research on the relationship between residential traffic noise and mental health in South Korea is limited. Objectives: This study aims to examine the correlation between regional traffic noise levels and mental health using an ecological study design. Methods: In this ecological study, all data were collected from the Korean Statistical Information Service. Traffic noise data in residential areas and the prevalence of mental health indices in 44 cities with noise monitoring stations were obtained. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between regional traffic noise levels and mental health indices. Results: Daytime traffic noise levels were found to have a positive correlation with stress perception (r=0.428, p=0.004) and showed a borderline positive correlation with depressive symptom prevalence (r=0.273, p=0.073). In cities with airports, significant correlations was observed between 24-hour average noise levels and depressive symptoms (r=0.604, p=0.010), whereas this relationship was not observed in cities without airports (r=0.048, p=0.813). Multiple regression analysis, which adjusted for factors such as age, gender ratio, smoking, obesity, unemployment, urban size, and the presence of an airport, confirmed the relationship between 24-hour average noise levels and stress perception (beta=0.287, p=0.024). Conclusions: This study identified correlations between regional traffic noise levels and depressive symptoms or stress perception in adults, with a more pronounced effect in areas with airports. These findings suggest a potential impact of residential traffic noise on mental health, highlighting the importance of preventive measures like noise management in urban planning to promote mental well-being.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 「국립대학육성사업 - 학부생 연구 기회 프로그램지원」으로 수행하였습니다.

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