Anxiety and depression in relation to anxious driving and driver behaviors: the moderating role of traffic climate

Abstract

This study aims to explore for the first time how anxiety and depression as mental health indicators, and traffic climate are related to driver behaviors and anxious driving. In more detail, based on the importance of understanding the interplay between psychopathology and perceptions within the dynamic traffic context, this research examines the moderating role of the traffic climate on the relationship between mental health and aberrant or anxious driving. A total of 247 drivers actively driving in Turkey participated in this study. The participants were recruited to complete various measures, such as the Demographic Information Form, Traffic Climate Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Driver Behavior Survey and Driver Behavior Questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses revealed significant associations, revealing a substantial relationship between anxiety and driving behaviors, although the role of depression remains ambiguous and requires further exploration. Moreover, moderation analyses revealed that traffic climate factors, including functionality and external affective demands, moderate the relationship between anxiety and driving behaviors. Thus, anxiety was strongly linked to errors and violations when drivers perceived the traffic context as stronger in terms of functionality and external affective demands. In contrast, the contribution of depression to the moderation models was insignificant. The findings could promote intervention strategies such as training programs tailored for mentally disadvantaged drivers, which could lead to the acquisition of coping strategies relevant to the traffic context, contributing to both their well-being and road safety in general.