Role of individual and personality traits in occupational noise-induced psychological effects

Abstract

BackgroundPinpointing the noise-induced psychological effects in workplace is difficult due to the wide variance of individual responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of individual and personality traits in occupational noise-induced annoyance, mental work load, and fatigue. MethodsThirty-one male participants with normal hearing and good general health were recruited. They were asked to judge the noise-induced annoyance, mental workload, and fatigue of occupational environments involved cognitive functions in exposure to noise level: 55–80 dBA. The level of noise annoyance and fatigue were measured using visual analog rating scales of ISO. The mental workload was evaluated using NASA-TLX. A GEE model was developed to determine the role of individual and personality traits. ResultsResults revealed that all three mental effects were affected by neuroticism and noise sensitivity. Moreover, the individuals who did not good health felt more the noise annoyance than those who were in better health status. It was also found that, as age increased, the level of the noise annoyance increased. The mental workload was influenced by two traits of extraversion and openness that their correlation was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Introvert-individual felt more mental workload than extrovert subjects. ConclusionIt seems that neuroticism, extraversion, and noise sensitivity are strong predictors of noise-induced psychological and mental effects. Therefore, in selecting suitable individuals for occupations, personality traits (noise sensitivity, neuroticism, extraversion, openness) should be taken into consideration.