The influence of sensitivity to reward and punishment, propensity for sensation seeking, depression, and anxiety on the risky behaviour of novice drivers: A path model

Abstract

Young novice drivers are significantly more likely to be killed or injured in car crashes than older, experienced drivers. Graduated driver licensing (GDL), which allows the novice to gain driving experience under less-risky circumstances, has resulted in reduced crash incidence; however, the driver's psychological traits are ignored. This paper explores the relationships between gender, age, anxiety, depression, sensitivity to reward and punishment, sensation-seeking propensity, and risky driving. Participants were 761 young drivers aged 17-24 (M=19.00, SD=1.56) with a Provisional (intermediate) driver's licence who completed an online survey comprising socio-demographic questions, the Impulsive Sensation Seeking Scale, Kessler's Psychological Distress Scale, the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire, and the Behaviour of Young Novice Drivers Scale. Path analysis revealed depression, reward sensitivity, and sensation-seeking propensity predicted the self-reported risky behaviour of the young novice drivers. Gender was a moderator; and the anxiety level of female drivers also influenced their risky driving. Interventions do not directly consider the role of rewards and sensation seeking, or the young person's mental health. An approach that does take these variables into account may contribute to improved road safety outcomes for both young and older road users.

Risky driving, mental health, and health-compromising behaviours: risk clustering in late adolescents and adults

“…Our results echo the findings by Scott-Parker and colleagues, where psychological distress (depression and anxiety) 20 and depression specifically 19 predicted risky driving in 17-25-year-olds. Our findings with conduct behaviour problems are also consistent with previous literature suggesting relationships among risky driving behaviours, 21 36 and drinking and driving.…”

Gender differences in the influence of personality traits on spicy food liking and intake

“…While the personality constructs of Sensation Seeking and Sensitivity to Reward are correlated (Byrnes & Hayes, 2013; Torrubia, Avila et al, 2001; Zuckerman & Neeb, 1979), they are not interchangeable constructs (Scott-Parker, Watson et al, 2012; Torrubia, Avila et al, 2001). Indeed, our study is not the first to report differential effects between the two scales (Mobbs, Crepin et al, 2010; Scott-Parker, Watson et al, 2012). …”

Predicting Suicides After Psychiatric Hospitalization in US Army Soldiers

“…While a formal analysis of comparative risks and benefits is beyond the scope of this report, it is noteworthy that the highest-risk stratum had significantly elevated risks of other adverse outcomes and that prevalence of at least one such outcome was present after 46.3% of highest-risk hospitalizations. Ameliorative effects of expanded high-risk interventions on these outcomes (i.e., unintentional injury deaths, suicide attempts, re-hospitalizations) are plausible, as numerous risk factors for suicide (e.g., depression, substance abuse) are also risk factors for these other outcomes 2,46,47 and most suicide prevention interventions recommended for high-risk patients are likely to affect these outcomes as well. 7,10 These presumed benefits would have to be considered in a broad361 based evaluation of risks and benefits of any future targeted high-risk post-hospital preventive interventions.…”