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Predicting DUI recidivism: Personality, attitudinal, and behavioral risk factors
Terry L Schell1, Kitty S Chan, Andrew R Morral
1RAND, Drug Policy Research Center, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica CA 90407-2138, USA. tschell@rand.org
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|September 10, 2005
Summary
Beliefs about alcohol effects, not penalties, drive drunk driving (DUIs). Interventions targeting these beliefs are key. Social desirability bias can skew DUI research findings.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Criminology
- Public Health
Background:
- Driving under the influence (DUI) is a significant public safety concern.
- Predicting DUI recidivism is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify personality, attitudinal, and behavioral predictors of DUI recidivism.
- To understand factors contributing to driving after drinking (DAD) and high-risk driving.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of survey data from 280 individuals with multiple DUI convictions.
- Covariance structure modeling to analyze predictors of DAD, alcohol consumption, and high-risk driving.
Main Results:
- Driving after drinking (DAD) correlated positively with drinking frequency and alcohol expectancies.
- DAD was negatively associated with socially desirable response bias.
- High-risk driving and personality variables were negatively associated with socially desirable response bias.
Conclusions:
- Beliefs about positive alcohol effects, rather than standard penalties, may drive persistent DUI behavior.
- Interventions should target these alcohol expectancy beliefs to reduce drunk driving.
- Social desirability bias significantly impacts the validity of self-report DUI research.