The effects of annoyance due to aircraft noise on psychological distress

摘要

The effects of annoyance due to aircraft noise on psychological distress have not been largely investigated, and remain discussed. The present study aimed at investigating the association between aircraft noise annoyance and psychological distress among people living near French airports. The DEBATS study included 1,244 residents around three major French airports. Information about psychological distress was provided by a face-to-face questionnaire including the 12-version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Annoyance due to aircraft noise was assessed through the verbal 5-point ICBEN scale. The association with psychological distress was investigated using logistic regressions. About 22% of the participants were considered to have psychological distress according to the GHQ-12. A significant association was found between aircraft noise annoyance and psychological distress. The ORs ranged from 1.49 (95%CI=0.94-2.39) to 3.64 (95%CI=1.70-7.78), with gradual ORs across the different categories of annoyance. This relationship remained unchanged when noise sensitivity was included in the model. This study highlighted a significant association between aircraft noise annoyance and psychological distress confirming the results found in the literature. However the direction of the association can be questioned: annoyed people might be more prone to have psychological distress, but it is also possible that people with psychological distress might be more prone to be annoyed.