The Impact of Commuting on Subjective and Objective Wellbeing: A Quantitative Study in Germany

• Applicant: Bhuvanachithra Chidambaram, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Biomedical Systems Technology ; City Planning, Spatial Planning, Transportation and Infrastructure Planning, Landscape Planning
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 574696119

The primary goal of this project is to examine the impact of commuting behaviour on various aspects of wellbeing, focusing on both objective and subjective measures. To achieve this, the following objectives are proposed: Objective 1: To develop a conceptual framework that explores the impact of commuting behaviour on wellbeing by studying relevant theories, including the commuting paradox, spillover effects, time use theory, affect balance theory, self-determination theory, household responsibility theory, and intra-household perspectives to formulate research questions that guide empirical investigations. Objective 2: To explore the relationship between commuting behaviour and subjective wellbeing (SWB) by examining cognitive aspects such as overall life satisfaction and domain-specific satisfaction (e.g. work, leisure, family). The commuting paradox serves as the theoretical basis to show that long commutes reduce life satisfaction despite expected trade-offs. Additionally, the spillover framework helps assess how commuting affects life satisfaction indirectly via time spent in other domains. Objective 3: To investigate how commuting patterns affect objective wellbeing (OWB). Based on Time Use Theory, which conceptualises time as a limited resource, this objective examines how commuting reduces time available for income, physical health, and social interactions, thus influencing OWB. Objective 4: To examine how commuting behaviour affects travel wellbeing (TWB), focusing on hedonic aspects (e.g. stress, enjoyment) and eudaimonic elements (e.g. meaning, autonomy, competence), and how these relate to life satisfaction. Affect Balance Theory is used to understand the hedonic dimension, while Self-Determination Theory informs the analysis of eudaimonic experiences during travel. Objective 5: To explore the impact of telecommuting approaches (remote work, hybrid models, home-based work) on work-life balance (WLB) and life satisfaction (LS), compared to traditional commuting. Drawing on intra-household perspectives, this objective analyses how commuting arrangements affect wellbeing, mediated by family dynamics (e.g. task division, parenting roles, partner wellbeing) and moderated by gender roles. With these objectives, the project contributes new insights into how commuting, travel behaviour, and telework arrangements affect wellbeing and WLB. Theoretical and empirical perspectives are integrated to broaden understanding of commuting’s impact on individual wellbeing. Methodologically, the project draws on multiple data sources: the German Time Use Survey 2022 (Objectives 2 and 3), primary data collection in Dortmund (Objective 4), and the German Family Demography Panel (FReDA-pairfam) (Objective 5). These data enable a robust, multidimensional analysis that includes gender and intra-household dynamics. The project supports strategies for sustainable commuting and addresses challenges at the intersection of work, family, and wellbeing.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants