Investigating the Relationship between the Traffic Load in the Place of Residence and Noise Sensitivity and Aggression in Housewives: A Case Study in Yazd City

Abstract

Background and aim: Exposure to noise causes auditory and psychological effects in humans. Among the sources of sound generation are the means of transportation, which can cause anger and aggression. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between living in different places in terms of traffic and noise sensitivity with aggression in housewives in Yazd city. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2019-2020 among housewives in Yazd city. First, the city of Yazd was divided into three areas with high, medium and low traffic using GIS software, and 100 people from each area, were included in the study in a stratified random manner. Information was collected using Weinstein's bass and Perry questionnaires and sensitivity to sound. Finally, the data was statistically analyzed using SPSS version 24 and R version 4.0.2. Findings: Findings revealed that those who lived in high traffic have a higher aggression score (P-Value=0.009), while no significant difference was observed in the noise sensitivity score among people of different groups (P value=0.071). In addition, a direct and significant relationship was observed between aggression and sensitivity to sound (r=0.28 and P value<0.001). Only two variables of noise sensitivity and place of residence were included in the regression model and (R Square) was equal to 0.096. Conclusion: The results showed that the two factors of traffic load and noise sensitivity have a direct and significant relationship with aggression score among housewives in Yazd city. It is also suggested to use different sound insulation and barriers in buildings.