An independent study ordered by TomTom and surveying 9,865 adults from 11 countries has found that men suffer a much greater psychological stress than women when stuck in traffic.
By measuring the stress markers in the saliva of participants, the survey revealed that stress levels in women increased by 8.7% in heavy traffic and a whopping 60% in men.
Despite these scientific findings, 67% of the female participants and 50% of the male participants said they didn’t feel stressed when forced to drive on a congested road for 20 minutes, though their body said otherwise.
According to the authors of the study, the long-term effects of stress include suppressed immune function, high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels.
The GPS manufacturer had ordered a similar survey in the past of 10,000 drivers, which showed that 86% of participants felt that traffic had a negative impact on their lives.
To lessen the blow, 82% of drivers say they listen to music and 21% talk to another passenger.
The study also revealed that people cope differently depending on their region and mother tongue.
Drivers in the United States (38%) and Sweden (39%) tend to talk on the phone, while in the Netherlands people choose to munch on comfort food. The study also found that English speakers are more likely to sing along to a song when stuck in traffic.
However, one bit of information particularly caught our attention, apparently Americans would rather go to the dentist (75%) or meet the in-laws for the first time (92%) than sit in a traffic jam.
By measuring the stress markers in the saliva of participants, the survey revealed that stress levels in women increased by 8.7% in heavy traffic and a whopping 60% in men.
Despite these scientific findings, 67% of the female participants and 50% of the male participants said they didn’t feel stressed when forced to drive on a congested road for 20 minutes, though their body said otherwise.
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According to the authors of the study, the long-term effects of stress include suppressed immune function, high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels.
The GPS manufacturer had ordered a similar survey in the past of 10,000 drivers, which showed that 86% of participants felt that traffic had a negative impact on their lives.
To lessen the blow, 82% of drivers say they listen to music and 21% talk to another passenger.
The study also revealed that people cope differently depending on their region and mother tongue.
Drivers in the United States (38%) and Sweden (39%) tend to talk on the phone, while in the Netherlands people choose to munch on comfort food. The study also found that English speakers are more likely to sing along to a song when stuck in traffic.
However, one bit of information particularly caught our attention, apparently Americans would rather go to the dentist (75%) or meet the in-laws for the first time (92%) than sit in a traffic jam.