Citation

Šeibokaitė L, Endriulaitienė A, Sullman MJ, Markšaitytė R, Žardeckaitė-Matulaitienė K. Traffic Injury Prev. 2017; 18(7): 688-693.

Affiliation

Vytautas Magnus University , Lithuania.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15389588.2017.1315109

PMID

28384034

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Risky driving is a common cause of traffic accidents and injuries. However, there is no clear evidence of how difficulties in emotion regulation contribute to risky driving behaviour, particularly in small Post-Soviet countries. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between difficulties in emotion regulation and self-reported risky driving behaviour in a sample of Lithuanian drivers.

METHODS: A total of 246 non-professional Lithuanian drivers participated in a cross-sectional survey. Difficulties in emotion regulation were assessed using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz and Roemer 2004 ), while risky driving behaviour was assessed using the Manchester Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ; Lajunen et al. 2004 ).

RESULTS: Males scored higher, than females, in aggressive violations and ordinary violations. Females scored higher for the non-acceptance of emotional responses, while males had more difficulties with emotional awareness than females. More difficulties in emotion regulation were positively correlated with driving errors, lapses, aggressive violations and ordinary violations for both males and females. Structural equation modelling showed that difficulties in emotion regulation explained aggressive and ordinary violations more clearly than lapses and errors. When controlling for interactions among the distinct regulation difficulties, difficulties with impulse control and difficulties engaging in goal-directed behaviour predicted risky driving. Furthermore, non-acceptance of emotional responses and limited access to emotion regulation strategies were related to less violations and more driving errors.

CONCLUSION: Emotion regulation difficulties were associated with the self-reported risky driving behaviours of Lithuanian drivers. This provides useful hints for improving driver training programmes in order to prevent traffic injuries.

Language: en

Keywords

DBQ; Driver Behaviour Questionnaire; Lithuania; difficulties in emotion regulation; emotion regulation; risky driving behaviour