Motor vehicle collisions: psychological impact

Previous research has shown that the psychological sequelae of motor vehicle collision (MVC) injuries include depression, anxiety, driving phobia, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among other symptoms. Women and people who report pre-collision PTSD, anxiety, and depression are more likely to develop PTSD, anxiety, and other distress following collision. However, no prior research has been truly prospective. The current study employs the National Population Health Study (utilizing a large, nationally representative, Canadian sample) to prospectively examine the role of pre-collision characteristics in predicting post-injury functioning, up to seven years post-injury. Using hierarchical regression controlling for demographic variables, the present study demonstrates the negative impact of MVC injury on psychosocial functioning. MVC injury predicts distress, nervousness, restlessness, depression, alcohol consumption, lower happiness, and greater stress. The current study also highlights that pre-injury psychological distress, nervousness, restlessness, depression, alcohol consumption, and stress predict poorer post-injury functioning. However, pre-injury happiness, coherence, and social support predict better post-injury functioning over the next seven years.

• Authors:
  • Wiesenthal, N L
  • Vingilis, E R
• Conference:
  • Canadian Multidisciplinary Road Safety Conference, 17th, 2007, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Publication Date: 2007-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 15p
• Monograph Title: Canadian Multidisciplinary Road Safety Conference XVII, June 3-6, 2007, Montreal, Quebec

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attitudes; Behavior; Drivers; Highway safety; Human factors; Injuries; Psychology; Surveys; Traffic crashes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Road safety (human factors)
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• ATRI Terms: Attitude; Driver behaviour; Human factors; Injury; Psychology; Road safety; Telephone survey; Traffic crash
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01386960
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 22 2012 9:56PM