Persistence of effects of a brief intervention on parental restrictions of teen driving privileges

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which effects of exposure to a brief intervention designed to increase parental restrictions on teen driving privileges persisted over time. Design: A total of 658 parents and their 16 year old adolescents were recruited from a local motor vehicle administration (MVA) site as adolescents successfully tested for provisional licenses. At the MVA, parents completed written surveys about expected teen driving during the first month of provisional licensure. Afterwards, on weeks assigned as intervention, parents watched a video and were given the video and a driving agreement to take home. Both parents and teens completed follow up telephone interviews about communication, amounts, and limits on teen driving at one month (579 dyads), four months (529 dyads), and nine months (528 dyads). Results: The results indicated that both intervention parents and teens were much more likely to report using a driving agreement at each follow up during the nine month period. Significant treatment group differences persisted for communication about driving, but effects related to limits on teen driving that were evident at one month declined over time. Reports for passenger, road, and overall limits remained significant at four months; fewer were present at nine months. There were no differences in amounts of teen driving at four or nine months. Conclusions: It is possible to reach parents through brief interventions at the MVA and successfully promote increases in initial parental restrictions on teen driving with modest persistence for at least four months.

Associations Between Parenting Styles and Teen Driving, Safety-Related Behaviors and Attitudes

“…65 Various parent-teen agreements have been used to codify restrictions, 22,66,67 to offer an understanding of both teen and parent responsibilities and expectations, and to create a framework whereby restrictions are reduced with increased experience. [21][22][23]68 Perhaps because of the clarity and structure they provide, parent-teen agreements have both short-term and sustained benefits. 21,65 Monitoring may facilitate effective targeted discussions or may be construed as controlling.…”

“…[21][22][23]68 Perhaps because of the clarity and structure they provide, parent-teen agreements have both short-term and sustained benefits. 21,65 Monitoring may facilitate effective targeted discussions or may be construed as controlling. 69 Shope et al 19 found that it was the combination of parental monitoring, nurturing, and family connectedness that decreased crash rates.…”

“…Several studies have found that parental monitoring, with appropriate restrictions, influences driving safety. [17][18][19][20] In particular, a formal, written, driving-related, parent-teen agreement with clear parental expectations reduces risky driving among teens, 21,22 likely by reducing discordance between parent and teen interpretations of expectations and limits. 23 Monitoring is only one aspect of the protective influence of parental involvement.…”

The Impact of an Event-Triggered Video Intervention on Rural Teenage Driving

“…In addition to technological solutions, parents of teenage drivers also play a significant role in their teen's driving safety. They are responsible for enforcing the graduated driver licensing policies and driving restrictions by controlling access to their teen's vehicle (Simons-Morton, Hartos, & Beck, 2003). Even a brief intervention at the time of teen provisional licensure has proven successful in increasing parental restrictions on teen driving privileges (Simons-Morton et al, 2003).…”

“…They are responsible for enforcing the graduated driver licensing policies and driving restrictions by controlling access to their teen's vehicle (Simons-Morton, Hartos, & Beck, 2003). Even a brief intervention at the time of teen provisional licensure has proven successful in increasing parental restrictions on teen driving privileges (Simons-Morton et al, 2003). By simply showing a short video on the risks of teen driving and providing both parents and teens with a driving agreement listing teen driving risks and suggestions for families on setting driving rules for teens, Simons-Morton and colleagues (2003) reported significant treatment group differences that were still present nine months later.…”