The need for speed: An investigation on the psychological dysfunction underlying risky driving behaviors in crystal...

Crystal methamphetamine is an illicit substance known to be associated with psychological disorder, aggressive behavior, and a significantly increased crash risk. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the links between likely methamphetamine dependency, psychological dysfunctioning (i.e., thought disorganization, emotional impulsivity, psychopathology), aberrant beliefs (i.e., antisocial beliefs about anger, positive beliefs about driving under the influence of methamphetamines [DUIM]), and risky driving behaviors (i.e., DUIM, aggressive driving, dissociative driving).

To achieve this aim, an online questionnaire was advertised on social media and open to adult Australian users of crystal methamphetamine (N = 184). A series of independent t-tests showed that participants who met the criteria for likely methamphetamine dependence reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress, disorganized thinking, impulsivity, anger symptomology, DUIM, aggressive driving, and dissociative driving. Further, those who DUIM in the past month reported significantly higher aberrant beliefs and more frequent aggressive driving behavior, compared to those who did not.

Bivariate correlations and follow-up structural equation modeling showed that there were significant linear and hierarchical relationships between the variables. Of particular importance, likely methamphetamine dependence was shown to indirectly affect aggressive and dissociative driving behavior via the hierarchical effects it had towards psychological dysfunctioning, problematic attitudes, and DUIM frequency, which acted as mediators in this model. In addition, DUIM frequency was shown to indirectly affect dissociative driving behavior via the relationship it had with aggressive driving behavior.

This study has highlighted potential factors that underlie problematic methamphetamine use and associated aberrant driving behaviors. The findings can inform future road safety strategies, over and above traditional enforcement initiatives.