Risky driving by youngsters linked to psychological distress |
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Washington, May 17 ANI: Australian researchers have found that adolescents who take risks when driving are more likely to experience psychological distress during adulthood. The psychological problems include mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. The study also reveals that young drivers have more accidents and are more likely to be involved in a crash, in which someone dies than older drivers, Additionally, risky behaviour in adolescents, including unprotected sex, smoking and high alcohol consumption has been linked to psychological distress. To confirm the findings, researchers assessed the psychological distress and driving behaviour of 761 young novice drivers, aged 17-25 years. All of the drivers possessed a provisional intermediate driver's licence, which enabled them to drive unaccompanied. It emerged that psychological distress alone was found to account for 8.5pc of the increased risky driving behaviour of young adults. The association was greater in women than in men, 9.5pc of the variance in risky driving could be explained by psychological distress in women compared with 6.7pc in men. "Young people presenting to medical and mental health professionals could be screened for current psychological distress, particularly if they have incurred injury through risky behaviour," said researchers. The research has been published ahead of print in Injury Prevention. ANI Posted by aniin on Wednesday May 18 reply Comments |
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