Citation

Byrd T, Cohn LD, Gonzalez E, Parada M, Cortes M. Accid. Anal. Prev. 1999; 31(1-2): 63-65.

Affiliation

University of Texas, Houston School of Public Health at El Paso, 79902, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10084619

Abstract

In order to determine if fatalism is associated with seatbelt use, 312 drivers were recruited from convenience stores located within 12 randomly generated zip-code areas along the Texas-Mexico border. The seatbelt use of drivers was recorded unobtrusively; self-reported seatbelt use and belief in destiny (fatalism) were subsequently obtained by interview. The majority of respondents rejected a fatalistic orientation, although Hispanic drivers were significantly less likely to do so. Fatalism was not associated with observed seatbelt use. Our results suggest that ethnic differences in seatbelt use are not due to ethnic differences in fatalism. These findings have implications for developing health interventions in Hispanic and non-Hispanic communities.