The Questionnaire on the Use of Public Transportation and Well-Being (QUPTW): A national survey and validation in Paraguay

Introduction: The impact of public transportation on the human emotional well-being is certainly under-studied, especially in the developing countries. This study proposes and validates a questionnaire aimed to assess the emotional well-being in the context of public transportation use in Paraguay (as in any other Spanish country). Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study using an online survey to address the relationship between the transport systems and mental health. The newly developed Questionnaire on the Use of Public Transportation and Well-Being (QUPTW) was evaluated for content and construct validity, criterion validity, and reliability. Results: Findings from 918 respondents have shown that the QUPTW reports strong psychometric properties, including validity and reliability. Participants, primarily young, university-educated women residing in Greater Asunción, reported dissatisfaction with the public transportation services. Long commute times, discomfort, and poor hygiene and safety conditions are significant contributors leading to emotional distress. These findings underscore the potential impact of the inadequate public transportation systems on mental well-being, suggesting the need for policy interventions to enhance accessibility, comfort, and safety. Conclusions: This study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between the public transportation use and the emotional well-being and provides a valuable tool for further research and policy development.