Dissecting gender differences in Commute wellbeing and Quality of life interaction in a developing country context

Abstract

The existing literature on commuting and overall wellbeing lacks a strong gender perspective, with only gender distinctions in analyses. Hence, this study implemented a robust gender-based approach to analyzing commute wellbeing (CWB) and Quality of life (QoL) interaction to identify distinct relationships, if any, between men and women. This study examined the gender differences in the impact of commute characteristics, residence zone characteristics, and personal characteristics on CWB and how CWB and all these aspects further influence their QoL using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis and multi-group structural equation modeling. Data was collected from 1431 commuters through an extensive revealed preference survey in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India. Results indicate that CWB influenced QoL positively for both genders, but the effect was less pronounced for women. Commute time, waiting time, and commute discomfort negatively influenced CWB. Commute cost significantly influenced men's CWB and QoL. Commute discomfort negatively influenced women's QoL. Commute mode negatively impacted men's QoL but positively affected women's. The residence zone's greater access to public transport stops reduced men's CWB and women's QoL. Greater access to employment opportunities increased men's CWB and women's QoL. The policy implications emphasize integrating life domains through transport to improve women's QoL.