Work-family Conflict, Perceived Stress and Intention to Commit Traffic Violations: A Model Guided by The Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract

Despite the importance of traffic violations in relation to road safety, little is known, however, about the link between stress particularly work-family conflict and violations behaviors. This study assessed the predictive effect of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs and additional predictors to account for drivers' intentions to commit three specific driving violations: speeding, overtaking in dangerous situations and running red light. This study also extended the theory by adding stress factors (work-family conflict, perceived stress) to assess their influences on the traffic violation intentions. A sample of Malaysian drivers (N = 482; (44.6) males and (55.4%) females), with the average age of 36.7 (SD =10.0) was surveyed with a questionnaire constructed to measure TPB components (attitude, perceived behavioral norm; PBC, subjective norm), stress measures (workfamily conflict, perceived stress), additional predictors (past violation behavior and anticipated regret) and behavioral intentions. Results showed that TPB provided a significant prediction of speeding, running red light and overtaking (43%, 55%, and 47% respectively) with subjective norm construct was the most predictive variable, followed by the PBC. The addition of past behavior and anticipated regret produced small amount of variance explained. No association was found perceived stress and work interference with family (WIF) and violation intentions. Family interference with work (FIW) significantly predicted speeding intention, indicating that as FIW increased, intention to avoid speeding weakened. Mediation analyses confirmed that FIW was related to speeding and overtaking intentions through attitude component. Of demographic variables, gender and age were significant predictors of intention to commit traffic violations. Practical implications of the findings for work-family roles and road safety are discussed.