Thesis
The development of a driving behavior questionnaire for veterans with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Apr 2013
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-4504
Abstract
Veterans returning home from combat deployment have been shown to be at an elevated risk of Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs), as evidenced by research after the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars. Both recent clinical observations and empirical findings have demonstrated that veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) may be at an increased level of risk from MVAs as compared to veterans of previous wars. The high percentage of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) in this population may be contributing to this elevated risk; however, little research has been done on the topic of driving patterns in Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans, and consequently data on the contributing factors of high-risk driving in this population are not readily available. To address this need, this study aimed to create a novel self-report measure for this population. First, by utilizing data from various sources of expert opinion on the topics of PTSD, TBI, veterans, and driving, the researchers narrowed down the possible contributors to high-risk driving. These findings were then condensed into a novel self-report assessment designed to elicit additional data on specific driving behaviors, high-anxiety driving situations, and the emotional and cognitive components of risky driving in this population. This study also compared the rates of high-risk driving in veterans diagnosed with TBI and PTSD against veterans without these diagnoses, and found that those with TBI/PTSD report more risky driving behaviors and significantly higher levels of anxiety while driving in certain situations. These data suggest that the emotional and psychological symptoms of TBI and PTSD may negatively impact driving safety in veterans.
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Details
- Title
- The development of a driving behavior questionnaire for veterans with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder
- Creators
- Elizabeth K. Whipple - DU
- Contributors
- Maria Teresa Schultheis (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 4504; 991014632707904721