title: Preliminary findings of a novel measure of driving behaviors in Veterans with comorbid TBI and PTSD.
abstract: Veterans of the military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are at an elevated risk of driving-related accidents and fatalities compared with civilians. Combat exposure, military driving training, risk-seeking, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are all factors associated with driving-related risk. However, few empirical studies have observed driving patterns in this population, and the influence of these contributing factors remains unclear. This study utilized a novel self-report measure to assess driving behaviors, subjective driving-related anxiety, and the emotional experiences of military Veterans who have returned to civilian driving. This questionnaire was completed by 23 combat Veterans diagnosed with comorbid TBI and PTSD and 10 nondisabled combat Veterans. Drivers with TBI and PTSD reported more frequent high-risk driving behaviors and higher levels of anxiety while driving in certain situations than nondisabled combat Veterans. These preliminary findings highlight the importance of studying on-the-road situations and cues that produce anxiety in Veterans, particularly those with TBI and PTSD. A greater understanding of driving-related anxiety is needed to inform targeted and effective interventions for unsafe driving in Veterans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.|Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Whipple
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Maria T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Schultheis
authors.affiliation: Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA.|Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D000070642:Brain Injuries, Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans
keywords: Afghanistan; Iraq; Veterans; anxiety; combat; deployment; driving; military; motor vehicle accidents; posttraumatic stress disorder; traumatic brain injury