Aggression, emotional self-regulation, attentional bias, and cognitive inhibition predict risky driving behavior. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sani, Susan Raouf Hadadi; Tabibi, Zahra; Fadardi, Javad Salehi; Stavrinos, Despina
• Is Part Of: Accident analysis and prevention. Volume 109(2017)
• Page Start: 78
• Page End: 88
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Anger -- Aberrant driving behavior -- Emotional stroop task -- Risky driving -- Inhibition; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Accident Prevention -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; 363.106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2017.10.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-4575

Abstract

Highlights: Aggression and difficulties in emotional regulation explained driving errors. Cognitive inhibition and attentional bias explained driving errors. The single factor of aggression explained driving violations. Abstract: The present study explored whether aggression, emotional regulation, cognitive inhibition, and attentional bias towards emotional stimuli were related to risky driving behavior (driving errors, and driving violations). A total of 117 applicants for taxi driver positions (89% male, M age = 36.59 years, SD = 9.39, age range 24–62 years) participated in the study. Measures included the Ahwaz Aggression Inventory, the Difficulties in emotion regulation Questionnaire, the emotional Stroop task, the Go/No-go task, and the Driving Behavior Questionnaire. Correlation and regression analyses showed that aggression and emotional regulation predicted risky driving behavior. Difficulties in emotion regulation, the obstinacy and revengeful component of aggression, attentional bias toward emotional stimuli, and cognitive inhibition predicted driving errors. Aggression was the only significant predictive factor for driving violations. In conclusion, aggression and difficulties in regulating emotions may exacerbate risky driving behaviors. Deficits in cognitive inhibition and attentional bias toward negative emotional stimuli can increase driving errors. Predisposition to aggression has strong effect on making one vulnerable to violation of traffic rules and crashes.