Distress tolerance as a predictor of risky and aggressive driving.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship between distress tolerance and risky and aggressive driving. Distress tolerance, defined as an individual's capability to experience and endure negative emotional states, was hypothesized to be related negatively to aggressive driving and risky driving.


METHODS
An anonymous, web-based survey of 769 college students was conducted at a large East Coast university.


RESULTS
After controlling for age, gender, race, ethnicity, year in school, grade point average, and driving frequency, distress tolerance was significantly inversely related to reported risky driving and aggressive driving.


CONCLUSIONS
College drivers who have a diminished capacity to endure frustration without experiencing negative emotional states (i.e., low distress tolerance) tend to drive aggressively and in a risky manner. Traditional deterrence-based approaches to highway safety may benefit from inclusion of a wider array of prevention strategies that focus on emotion regulation while driving.
a Department of Behavioral and Community Health , University of Maryland School of Public Health , College Park , Maryland.
Kenneth H
KH
Beck
Bina
B
Ali
Stacey B
SB
Daughters
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004219:District of Columbia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult