Citation

Abdoli N, Farnia V, Delavar A, Esmaeili A, Dortaj F, Farrokhi N, Karami M, Shakeri J, Holsboer-Trachsler E, Brand S. Neuropsychiatr. Dis. Treat. 2015; 11: 2071-2078.

Affiliation

Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ; Department of Sport and Health Science, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Dove Press)

DOI

10.2147/NDT.S88835

PMID

26316753

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In Iran, traffic accidents and deaths from traffic accidents are among the highest in the world, and generally driver behavior rather than either technical failures or environmental conditions are responsible for traffic accidents. In the present study, we explored the extent to which aggressive traits, health status, and sociodemographic variables explain driving behavior among Iranian male traffic offenders.

METHOD: A total of 443 male driving offenders (mean age: M =31.40 years, standard deviation =9.56) from Kermanshah (Iran) took part in the study. Participants completed a questionnaire booklet covering sociodemographic variables, traits of aggression, health status, and driving behavior.

RESULTS: Poor health status, such as symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and social dysfunction, and also higher levels of trait aggression explained poor driving behavior. Multiple regressions indicated that poor health status, but not aggression, independently predicted poor driving behavior.

CONCLUSION: Results suggest that health status concerns are associated with poor driving behavior. Prevention and intervention might therefore focus on drivers reporting poor mental health status.

Language: en