Organisational Sources of Pressure as Predictors of Mental and Physical Health and Satisfaction in Italian Public Transport Employees

Workers in the transport sector face significant occupational risks related to their roles and environmental conditions, which contribute to their physical and psychological distress. This study examined the relationship between stressors and the health and job satisfaction of Italian transport workers, while investigating the moderating role of personal resources. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the self-reported occupational stress indicator (OSI) questionnaire, which was completed by 289 transport workers. The findings confirm that compared to the Italian normative sample, transport workers reported higher work pressure and lower physical and psychological health and job satisfaction scores. The results align with prior research, particularly on the prevalence of type A behaviour among drivers. Three primary stressors were identified: interpersonal relationships (affecting both satisfaction and mental health), job-specific factors (affecting physical health) and organisational structure (affecting job satisfaction). Additionally, type A behaviour negatively moderated stress-related outcomes, while coping strategies, such as logic and social support, served as protective factors. In terms of practical implications, the need for improved training in customer interactions, stress management and de-escalation techniques was emphasised. Strengthening coping strategies through training programmes may enhance worker well-being and overall service quality. Given the sector’s societal importance, targeted interventions are necessary to mitigate stress-related consequences and enhance worker resilience.