Mental health status, aggression, and poor driving distinguish traffic offenders from non-offenders but health status predicts driving behavior in both groups

Abstract

BackgroundIn Iran, traffic accidents and deaths from traffic accidents are among the highest in the world, and generally, driver behavior rather than technical failures or environmental conditions are responsible for traffic accidents. In a previous study, we showed that among young Iranian male traffic offenders, poor mental health status, along with aggression, predicted poor driving behavior. The aims of the present study were twofold, to determine whether this pattern could be replicated among non-traffic offenders, and to compare the mental health status, aggression, and driving behavior of male traffic offenders and non-offenders.MethodsA total of 850 male drivers (mean age =34.25 years, standard deviation =10.44) from Kermanshah (Iran) took part in the study. Of these, 443 were offenders (52.1%) and 407 (47.9%) were non-offenders with lowest driving penalty scores applying for attaining an international driving license. Participants completed a questionnaire booklet covering socio-demographic variables, traits of aggression, health status, and driving behavior.ResultsCompared to non-offenders, offenders reported higher aggression, poorer mental health status, and worse driving behavior. Among non-offenders, multiple regression indicated that poor health status, but not aggression, independently predicted poor driving behavior.ConclusionCompared to non-offenders, offenders reported higher aggression, poorer health status and driving behavior. Further, the predictive power of poorer mental health status, but not aggression, for driving behavior was replicated for male non-offenders.

<div>Among substance-abusing traffic offenders, poor sleep and poor general health predict lower driving skills but not slower reaction times</div>

“…Next, as regards mental health status, Possis et al 19 showed that, among veterans, risky driving behavior and poor mental health status were associated with poor driving behavior. Furthermore, in previous studies, 2 , 3 we have showed that, among both traffic offenders and non-offenders, poor mental health status was associated with both poor driving behavior and aggression, while aggression was also associated with poor driving behavior. However, when both poor health status and aggression were entered in a regression equation, only poor health status emerged as a predictor of poor driving behavior.…”

“… 31 – 37 Third, we predicted that poor driving behavior would be independently predicted by poor sleep, poor general health, and higher aggression scores. 2 , 3 , 12 , 15 , 18 Fourth, we expected that poor sleep would predict poor driving behavior indirectly as well as directly. Finally, based on the studies by Schreier et al 42 and Hallvig et al, 43 we assumed that reaction time on a driving simulator as a proxy for objective driving behavior would not be related to subjective driving behavior or to psychological functioning (general health, subjective sleep, and aggression).…”

“…Accordingly, this study aimed at shedding light on the association between subjective sleep patterns, driving behavior (both subjective and objective), 1 and trait and state variables in a large sample of Iranian traffic offenders. In this context, we put particular emphasis on the direct and indirect associations between subjective sleep and driving behavior (subjective and objective) via their association with general health status; in our previous studies, 2 , 3 it was proved that poor mental health status was related to poor driving behavior.…”

“…First, we expected poor sleep, poor driving behavior, poor general health, and high aggression scores to be associated. 2 , 3 , 12 , 15 , 18 , 44 Second, we anticipated that, compared with good sleepers, poor sleepers would report more impaired subjective driving behavior and have lower general health, higher aggression scores, and slower reaction times. 31 – 37 Third, we predicted that poor driving behavior would be independently predicted by poor sleep, poor general health, and higher aggression scores.…”

A Mixed-Method Modified Delphi Study toward Identifying Key Elements of Psychotherapy in Iran

“…As described by Danaei et al [22], the infrastructure for primary health care and education has improved dramatically within the last two decades. Psychosocial, psychological and psychiatric interventions increased to help survivors of natural disasters or veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); to prevent unfavorable behavior such as suicidal ideation, domestic violence, and substance abuse; or to prevent unfavorable behavior related to traffic accidents [23][24][25]. On the flip side, there are still concerns about inadequacy of mental health services in Iran.…”