Drive better, feel better: Examining associations between well-being and driving behaviour in students

Abstract

Road transport often presents one of the major safety risks to which individuals are exposed. In the present study, driving behaviour, driving skill, driving hazards and their potential links to well-being were examined in a sample of 224 undergraduate psychology students at Cardiff University. A cross-sectional, online survey measured driving behaviour (e.g., distraction and aggression-derived from the recent work of Smith, 2016) and well-being (positive outcomes, negative outcomes, and positive and negative appraisals) using the Student-WPQ (Williams et al., 2017). Hierarchical multiple regressions demonstrated that poor driving behaviour predicted negative well-being and appraisal, whereas more pro-social driving behaviour was predictive of positive well-being and appraisal. These effects remained significant when established predictors of well-being were covaried. Therefore, this research has identified links between well-being and driving behaviour. While it is acknowledged that the crosssectional nature of the research makes attribution of causality problematic, it is suggested the identification of potential variables of interest paves the way for further longitudinal enquiry.

Bilinçli Farkındalık ve İyilik Halinin Sürücü Davranışlarıyla İlişkisinin İncelenmesi

“…There is also a significant positive relationship between well-being and positive driver behaviors. This finding is consistent with expectations, as well as the findings in the relevant literature suggesting that well-being is associated with positive driver behaviors, such as paying attention to the rules, regulating hostile behaviors, and making few violations (Bowen & Smith, 2019). Also, well-being plays an important role in regulating individuals' negative emotions and difficult situations (Huppert, 2009).…”

“…Studies indicated that mindfulness interventions decrease drivers' intense and frequent anger in traffic settings; and as a result of this, improves safety and performance while driving (Borders et al, 2010;Heppner et al, 2008;Koppel et al 2018;Wright, Day, & Howells, 2009;Valero-Mora et al, 2015). Correlational studies also indicated a positive relationship between mindfulness and positive and safe driving behaviors, which are mediated through self-control, happiness, emotion regulation, and psychological well-being (Bird, 2018;Bowen & Smith, 2019). In other words, mindfulness is positively associated with these variables, which in turn positively affects safe driving.…”