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More than an apple: better lunch enhances bus drivers' work performance and well-being.

Bu ZhongXiaohua WangFan Yang
Published in: International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics : JOSE (2020)
This study aims to seek affordable solutions to help bus drivers reach their health goals and improve work performance. Guided by Herzberg's motivation theory and self-determination theory, the study investigates ways of reducing the psychological risks bus drivers face by conducting an experiment among them in Shenzhen, China. During the experiment, a serving of fresh fruit (e.g., an apple or a banana) was added to their lunch for 3 weeks. The enhanced lunch helped improve work performance and well-being. Specifically, eating an extra apple or banana was found to reduce depression, and improve self-efficacy and traffic safety. The results indicate that bus drivers could be motivated to work harder as a response to small attention paid to them. This research contributes to a better understanding of food impact on work performance and well-being. It also makes a theoretical contribution to the debate on how hygiene factors may alter job performance.
Keyphrases
  • healthcare
  • public health
  • human health
  • depressive symptoms
  • mental health
  • risk assessment
  • social support
  • solid phase extraction
  • liquid chromatography
  • simultaneous determination
  • tandem mass spectrometry