“We are a forgotten people!”: The experience of stress among New York City yellow taxi drivers

Abstract

Objectives

This study analyzed New York City yellow taxi drivers’ perceptions of workplace stressors in the setting of recent taxi driver suicides. It also documents their lived experience of stress and their response to stress.

Methods

We conducted open-ended, life-history informed interviews with current and former New York City yellow taxi drivers in 2022. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically.

Results

Interviews (n = 21) revealed diverse stressors, including financial strain, discrimination, the loss of colleagues to suicide, and media coverage surrounding driver suicides. Drivers experienced their stress as anxiety, depression, helplessness, rage, and sleep disturbance. Few had sought out mental health support, though many would consider doing so if it were available.

Conclusions

By employing a life-history-interview methodology, we identify complex sources of stress among taxi drivers. Our research additionally documents drivers’ descriptions of their lived experience of stress and their response to stress. Though many drivers described their stress as overwhelming, few had sought out mental health support. In sum, this research suggests that opportunities exist for intervention to improve the health and wellbeing of this vulnerable, underserved community.