ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the mediating effect of coping styles on aggressive behavior against bus drivers and their mental health status. METHODS: A total of 447 bus drivers were selected as the research objects using the method of judgment sampling. The aggressive behavior, mental health status and coping style of bus drivers were investigated using the Questionnaire of Aggressive Behaviors Against Bus Drivers, Symptom-Checklist 90 and Questionnaire of Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire. RESULTS: The median scores of aggressive behavior against bus drivers, positive coping style, negative coping style and mental health status were 50.0, 22.0, 10.0 and 125.0, respectively. Aggressive behavior against bus drivers and negative coping style were positively correlated with mental health status [Spearman correlation coefficient(r_S) were 0.27 and 0.42, respectively, P<0.01]. Positive coping style was not correlated with mental health status(r_S=-0.08, P>0.05). The total effect of aggressive behavior against bus drivers on their mental health status was 0.30. The mediating role of negative coping styles on aggressive behavior against bus drivers and their mental health status was 0.10, accounting for 33.1% of the total effect. CONCLUSION: Negative coping styles play a partial mediating role on the impact of aggressive behavior against bus drivers′ mental health status.